Female executives’ self-reported perception and experiences of contra-power sexual harassment from male subordinates

Emmanuel Abiodun Fayankinnu, Adekunle Ajasin University

This paper examines Female Executives’ (FEs) self-reported perception and experiences of ‘contra-power sexual harassment’ from Male Subordinates (MSs). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 115 (67 FEs and 48 MSs) respondents, selected purposively. FEs mostly perceived (P) and experienced (E) three acts – MSs grabbing their groins in front of FEs (P: 73.1%; E: 61.2 %,), bragging about their sexual organs as hefty in the presence of FEs (P: 64.2%, E: 59.7%), and bragging about their prowess in bed to the hearing of FEs (P: 61.2%, E: 58.2%) – as sexually harassing. (However, 35% MSs grabbed their groins in front of FEs, 60.4% bragged of their sexual organ, and 52.1% bragged of their prowess in bed). Harassed FEs reported poor health, job dis-satisfaction and reduced commitment. As a coping strategy, FEs maintained only formal relationships with their MSs. The paper concludes with some policy options.