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Correlates of joining a sexual harassment class action
Caroline Vaile Wright1, Louise F Fitzgerald
1Summa-Kent State Center for the Treatment and Study of Traumatic Stress, 444 North Main St., Akron, OH 44319, USA. wrightcv@summa-health.org
Law and Human Behavior
|September 27, 2008
Summary
Organizational climate and other factors significantly influence decisions to join sexual harassment class-action lawsuits. Understanding these elements is crucial for addressing workplace harassment legal actions.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Legal Studies
Background:
- Empirical research on factors influencing legal action for sexual harassment is limited.
- Previous theories lack robust testing regarding decisions to pursue legal relief.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate factors affecting the decision to join a sexual harassment class-action lawsuit.
- To identify key correlates influencing participation in collective legal action.
Main Methods:
- Study involved female professionals from a financial services firm.
- Participants either joined or opted out of a sexual harassment class-action lawsuit.
- Statistical analysis, including dominance analysis, was used to identify significant correlates.
Main Results:
- Organizational climate, turnover, financial dependence, PTSD, and primary appraisal were significant correlates of joining the class action.
- Contextual factors were identified as the most influential predictors.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the importance of organizational climate and contextual factors in the decision-making process for sexual harassment litigation.
- Results offer theoretical insights and practical implications for legal and organizational strategies.
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