Behind the silence: A critical exploration of the sexual harassment of women in the hospitality workplace.

Abstract

This study provides a unique insight into the experience and impact of sexual harassment on female employees working in the hospitality industry. The evidence suggests that sexual harassment is a pervasive problem in hospitality settings; however, it continues to be a silenced phenomenon. Therefore, there remains much to be understood about the experience of sexual harassment faced by women working in the hospitality industry and its possible impacts on their personal and occupational lives. This study aims to explore women employees’ experiences and perceptions of sexual harassment in the hospitality sector. In order to meet the aim of the research, this study adopts an interpretivist approach to analyse and interpret the data obtained from narrative interviews with twenty-two female employees. A range of hospitality organisations, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops, were included within the sample, and work experience in both operational and managerial roles was represented. The findings are delineated into three main themes: being harassed in the workplace, the perceived impact of workplace sexual harassment, and the organisational response to sexual harassment. The findings suggest that sexual harassment in hospitality workplaces is complex and multifaceted and has the potential to pose a significant threat to female employees’ well-being. Hospitality organisations exhibited two main responses to sexual harassment: a proactive management approach that directly addressed reported cases and a passive approach where incidents were inadequately acknowledged, addressed, or acted upon, effectively ignoring the harassment. This study underlines the gendered spaces and perspectives of the hospitality workplace, combined with tough and precarious working environments and high levels of interaction between employees and customers, which fosters the risk of sexual harassment. In addition, social and cultural expectations, traditional roles and values and power dynamics in social settings play an important role in individuals’ experience and perception of workplace sexual harassment. The findings further demonstrate that the impact of sexual harassment can extend beyond the workplace, permeating women’s personal lives and affecting their intimate relationships, career trajectories, and financial well-being. This research, therefore, extends knowledge of the experience of sexual harassment in hospitality work environments. A conceptual framework is presented to demonstrate how female employees experience and perceive sexual harassment in hospitality. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed in order to identify the scope of work that needs to be explored in this area.