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Article
Sexual Harassment Versus Workplace Romance: Social Media Spillover and Textual Harassment in the Workplace
Academy of Management Perspectives
  • Lisa A. Mainiero, Fairfield University
  • Kevin J. Jones
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2013
Disciplines
Abstract

"Textual harassment"--sending offensive or inappropriate text messages to coworkers-- is on the rise (Baldas, 2009; Hunton & Williams LLP, 2009; Parker-Pope, 2011). Contemporary social media technologies (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, blogs, Instagram, Foursquare) carry numerous risks associated with personal and professional connectivity, privacy, and intimacy, and these risks require a new look at policy formulation concerning the boundaries of workplace romance versus harassment in the Internet age. This article includes a review of the relevant literature on workplace romance and sexual harassment policies, and discusses evolving social media policies, legal perspectives, and privacy issues. We advocate the concept of "love contracts" to aid human resource professionals, legal experts, and romantic couples concerning the risks of social media spillover and harassment from romance in the office.

Comments

Copyright 2013 Academy of Management

Published Citation
Mainiero, Lisa, and Kevin Jones. "Sexual Harassment Versus Workplace Romance: Social Media Spillover and Textual Harassment in the Workplace." The Academy of Management Perspectives, Aug 2013, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p187-203.
DOI
10.5465/amp.2012.0031
Peer Reviewed
Citation Information
Lisa A. Mainiero and Kevin J. Jones. "Sexual Harassment Versus Workplace Romance: Social Media Spillover and Textual Harassment in the Workplace" Academy of Management Perspectives Vol. 27 Iss. 3 (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lisa_mainiero/33/