Benevolent intentions towards a new co-worker depend on the co-worker’s sexual orientation and relationship status

Nikola Komlenac (), Madita Haller, Jennifer Birke and Andreas Walther
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Nikola Komlenac: Medical University of Innsbruck
Madita Haller: Medical University of Innsbruck
Jennifer Birke: Medical University of Innsbruck
Andreas Walther: University of Graz

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract In Europe, allonormative beliefs are common. These beliefs assume that all people desire sexual activity with others. Individuals who are single or asexual differ from these norms and may face social disapproval, including discrimination. The present study investigated whether individuals’ benevolent intentions and behaviors toward a new co-worker vary depending on the co-worker’s sexual orientation (specifically being asexual) and relationship status (specifically being single). A total of 1028 participants (50.0 percent cisgender women and 50.0 percent cisgender men; 78.3 percent heterosexual and 21.7 percent sexual minority participants; mean age 29.2 years, standard deviation 8.8) living in German-speaking countries in Europe each read one of 18 fictional scenarios describing the introduction of a new co-worker. The scenarios varied by the co-worker’s gender, sexual orientation, and relationship status. After reading the scenario, participants indicated how likely they would be to share information with, befriend, gossip about, or show interest in supporting the co-worker’s success. A multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted while controlling for participants’ allonormative beliefs, age, relationship status, nationality, sexual orientation, education, and occupation. The results showed that female participants were less likely to share knowledge with a person who was single by circumstance than with a person in a relationship. Male participants were more likely to befriend a single-by-choice gay man than a gay man who was in a relationship. These findings highlight bias against single individuals in workplace-related contexts. The results can help raise awareness of subtle prejudices based on sexual orientation and relationship status. Recognizing these biases is an important first step in developing interventions to reduce discrimination in the workplace.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05963-w

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