JOB-RELATED AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE - EMPIRICAL-EVIDENCE FROM 2 ORGANIZATIONS

Previous evidence regarding the outcomes of sexual harassment in the w orkplace has come mainly from self-selected samples or analogue studie s or those using inadequate measures. The sexual harassment experience s, coping responses, and job-related and psychological outcomes of 447 female private-sector employees and 300 female university employees w ere examined. Discriminant function analyses indicated that women who had not been harassed and women who had experienced low, moderate, and high frequencies of harassment could be distinguished on the basis of both job-related and psychological outcomes. These outcomes could not be attributed to negative affective disposition, attitudes toward har assment, or general job stress. Results suggest that relatively low-le vel but frequent types of sexual harassment can have significant negat ive consequences for working women.