Sex in the Office? | The Case for Sexual Wellness at Work

Let's face it—coworkers screw each other. It's a fact. Countless late nights problem solving with likeminded folks is a recipe for attraction. However, there is a big difference between allowing sex to happen and actively promoting healthy sexuality at work. The wellness movement focuses primarily on preventing burnout and encouraging mental health, but where does sexual wellness sit in the health toolkit?

Post me-too, relationship dynamics and sex in the workplace have rightly been put under the microscope. Years of inappropriate workplace culture and abuses of power have necessitated a long look at how we behave in our after-hours activities. For me, as long as there is consent and no power asymmetry, I don't see a problem. Though, issues arise in the margins. They lurk in gray zones and power imbalances, threatening to upend reputations. What if the answer to this is not to impose more stringent policies, but to lean into the fact that work sex happens? By reducing the gray zones and promoting healthy sexuality, what if workplaces could reduce sexual abuses and improve the overall sense of safety at work?

With this in mind, there are two places where I think sexual wellness could be incorporated in the work culture.

Codes of Conduct

Sexual misconduct happens in the gray zones. While most companies have relationship disclosures, these policies are often intended to remove legal liability for the organization and don't protect or influence employee behavior.

What if we took a pro-sex policy instead of a punishment stance? Imagine: embedded in the company handbook is a clear explicit stance on sex? A sexual code of conduct if you will. It would be like:

• If you're in a position of power, no sex for you.
• If you decide to have sex with a coworker, make sure there is unambiguous consent. Nobody's got time for the "her eyes said yes" defense.
• If you're unsure, just don't do it.

Clearly, I'm not a sex educator. My point is having a clear policy about your expectations and what employees should do in situations could create better sexual behaviors between colleagues.

Swag and Benefits

Ok, Ok, now I'm getting into more controversial territory, but hear me out. I'm not saying put vibrators in welcome packs (BUT that would be pretty awesome). But what about a subscription to a menstrual wellness app? Or an allowance to spend on Hims products? You could call it a Total Body Health Package and make an optional space for sexual wellness goodies. I think swag here would have to skew more health than pleasure, but I think there's argument for sexual health inclusion.

It's a sensitive topic, but I think instead of pretending sex doesn't exist we actively discuss what's allowed and what isn't...even if the answer is just don't do it.