Workplace sexual banter may be a good thing

A University of Washington study examining sexual banter in the workplace is not necessarily a bad thing. According tot he study, such banter can help to create a sense of belonging and give people a sense of control over their working conditions.

The study focused on the interactions and banter among workers and between workers and management. The sexual banter included sexual innuendos, puns and references to sexual acts.

Lerum said such banter was normal in the restaurants examined and in the restaurant industry in genera.

The impact of the encounters contributed to the unique culture of each workplace, Lerum said.

The hierarchy of a workplace also effects the banter, Lerum said. In the strip club, there was a more formal hierarchy than in the upscale restaurant so there was more conflict between managers and employees over the meaning of particular words and acts. Lerum, who worked in the restaurants as part of the research, was surprised when she first became aware of the banter.

"The first night I was shocked and couldn't believe people were saying those things. I didn't know how to react at first, but I learned to toughen up to fit in. I got better and started dishing it back. After the first month, I felt pretty comfortable and realized that sexual banter was just part of the job."

The findings should not be used to dismiss cases of sexual harassment, Lerum warns. She observed several situations that could be called sexual harassment.

"However, if people went to these places with a fixed definition of harassment, there would be instances of it every night," she said. "Ultimately, if you are trying to assess an incident it would be important to have a cultural understanding of that particular workplace and the people's understanding of that culture. It is a complicated question. Keep in mind sexual banter and camaraderie can empower workers so they have control over working conditions and their creative, productive selves. Sexual banter is okay if people feel they are working in a safe environment and the banter is not disrespectful or a form of discipline."

"Under the right conditions, sexual banter can help build camaraderie, and camaraderie is a positive thing for workers and the organization because if employees are happy and feel they belong they work harder and are more productive. This is not so much about sex, but about people being empowered and having ownership of their work life, " she said.

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