Institutional courage buffers against sexual harassment and betrayal in workplace, landmark study finds

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Do acts of institutional courage by employers really benefit employees? Might employers also benefit from their own institutional courage? In late January, researchers at the Center for Institutional Courage were excited to publish the first study to measure the impact of institutional courage and its role in buffering against the harm of institutional betrayal. Senior Advisor Dr. Alec Smidt led the study, and the other members of the research team were Research Associate Alexis Adams-Clark & Founder and President Dr. Jennifer Freyd.

The researchers conducted an extensive online survey of more than 800 working adults across industries and levels. At a high level, the study showed that institutional courage is an effective buffer against betrayal in the workplace, especially in cases of sexual harassment.

Dr. Smidt explained, “Our study clearly shows that institutional courage benefits organizations and their employees: it’s associated with higher job satisfaction and organizational commitment, as well as lower perceived organizational gender bias and intentions to leave one’s job."

The researchers also found that institutional betrayal by itself following workplace sexual harassment is associated with lower job satisfaction, higher intentions to leave one’s job, and negative physical health symptoms. Dr. Smidt further explained that institutional courage buffers against this negative effect of institutional betrayal: "Institutional courage is especially impactful after institutional betrayal, where it reduces some of the negative impacts of that harm."

In other words, institutional courage benefits both employees AND their organizations. Not only are employees better off personally, but the organization also benefits from employees who are healthier and more satisfied at work.

The study also examined how employers demonstrate institutional courage through operational transparency and proactive support of employees, as well as through supporting whistleblowers who have been sexually harassed and retaliated against when reporting the harassment. 

Researchers at Courage are continuing to study how institutional courage is beneficial in all types of organizations. For instance, one study currently in progress investigates institutional courage in educational settings. We are excited to share those results with you in the months ahead. Through this research, we learn how to make institutions more effective and accountable places for everyone.