Does sex of the leader and subordinate influence a leader’s disciplinary decisions?

This study, conducted in 2002, investigated the impact of sex on a leader’s decisions involving employee disciplinary situations. All leaders would like to believe that they make fair and impartial decisions. Some of the most difficult decisions leaders make involve people (i.e. subordinates), because careers may be at risk. This research examined the impact sex may have on decisions made by leaders in four different disciplinary scenarios, sexual harassment, drug test violation, insubordination and theft. A scenario‐based survey instrument, developed by the author, and the Bem Sex‐Role Instrument (BSRI) short‐form, were used in the data collection. It was determined from the data collected that the sex of the employee was an influence in decision making and that the sex of the leader (i.e. decision maker) was of no influence. It was further determined that the BSRI Femininity and Masculinity scores were not accurate predictors of disciplinary actions.