Research, based on a survey of 281 female lawyers working in 38 law firms in the south east of the USA, found that strategic flirting is more likely to occur in environments seen as male - those viewed as competitive, risk-taking and aggressive - than those seen as sensitive, loyal, warm, empathetic (and female). The women surveyed were asked whether, for instance, they would 'smile flirtatiously at certain men at work' or if they 'sometimes try to play dumb'. The results are to be presented at Orlanda this week at the conference of the Academy of Management.
Hurtful slights
Co-author Professor Alexis Smith told Business News Daily that strategic female flirters are exposed in masculine workplaces to 'a lot of hurtful slights, like being treated rudely or as if they were stupid or being excluded from meetings'. And co-author Professor Arthur Brief is quoted in the ABA Journal as saying that a previous study has found that people 'who engage in sexual displays to get ahead' tend to earn less and get fewer promotions.
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