Leadership style and workplace hostility: Do passive leaders foster increased hostility and sexual harassment?

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Sexual harassment is a sub-type of workplace aggression and is more frequent in organizations which tolerate hostility and incivility. It is also found that a passive leadership style is more permissive of hostile behaviors, which in turn means more tolerant of sexual harassment. Both men and women are more likely to experience sexual harassment under a passive leader; however, this is stronger for women working in a male-dominated workplace. Companies wishing to reduce hostility and sexual harassment should look to foster proactive leaders and encourage civil behaviors, as well as a zero-tolerance policy.

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