Sexual harassment remains a prevalent issue in the workplace, disproportionately affecting women. In instances of sexual harassment, bystanders may either choose to support the victim or remain silent. Recent research conducted by Kim et al. (2024) delves into how observers react to individuals experiencing sexual harassment at work, specifically examining the responses of male and female bystanders.
Gender Disparities and Empathy Towards Victims
In an initial online study, participants were presented with scenarios depicting a female employee being harassed by a male coworker. Findings revealed that female participants exhibited higher levels of empathy towards the fictional victim, leading to a greater inclination to intervene. A subsequent field study involving employees who had witnessed or heard about instances of harassment corroborated these results, with women displaying increased empathy, a greater likelihood of intervening, and a decreased tendency to condone such behavior.
In a follow-up experiment, the researchers manipulated the genders of both the perpetrator and the victim (male to female vs. female to male). Notably, women consistently displayed higher levels of empathy compared to their male counterparts, irrespective of the victim’s gender. Additionally, women exhibited lower levels of empathy towards the harasser than men. Interestingly, in environments where organizations exhibited lower tolerance towards harassment, both men and women exhibited comparable levels of empathy and willingness to intervene.
Practical Implications for Organizations
The study underscores the significance of empathy in predicting bystanders’ intentions to intervene in cases of workplace harassment. Consequently, organizations are advised to foster empathy among employees, potentially through initiatives such as perspective-taking exercises or allyship training. Cultivating a culture that unequivocally rejects sexual harassment is paramount. To achieve this, companies can implement transparent reporting mechanisms, establish clear policies, be prepared to enforce disciplinary measures, and reinforce a culture of mutual respect.
Source:
Kim, S., Park, Y., and Liang, Y. (2025). Observers’ gender and behavioral responses to workplace sexual harassment via empathy: The moderating role of organizational intolerance. Journal of Applied Psychology. Advanced online publication.