Identity Under Threat: The impact of Workplace Sexual Harassment and Media Representation on Organizational Identity at Daily Work

Verhoef, Christiaan

Identity Under Threat: The impact of Workplace Sexual Harassment and Media Representation on Organizational Identity at Daily Work

Authors

Verhoef, Christiaan

Issue Date

2024-06-24

Language

en

URI

https://theses.ubn.ru.nl/handle/123456789/17463

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the interplay between workplace sexual harassment, media representation, and organizational identity. Employees within a case organization named Daily Work are interviewed on these subjects. Despite the central harassment incident at Daily Work under investigation being perceived as a misunderstanding by most employees, the pervasiveness of sexual harassment is still apparent, with approximately half of the interviewees reporting direct encounters. Both nuanced and skeptical perspectives emerged towards the way media portrayed certain cases within Daily Work. Most employees perceived the media coverage as sensationalized, and news narratives did therefore exert minimal influence on their perceptions of Daily Work’s organizational identity. Instead, the organizational identity tarnished due to Daily Work's handling of the harassment situation. Cover-up tactics in combination with a delayed response to the media lead to eroded trust among employees. Overall, Daily Work’s crisis management is perceived as ineffective by employees. This is for example evidenced by the failed appointment of an ombudsperson. The findings of the study contribute to several fields, including Social Identity Theory and Organizational Crisis Theory. Practical insights are given for organizations navigating reputation challenges in the face of workplace sexual harassment.