Sexual Harassment, Negative Emotions, and Turnover Intention in the Restaurant Industry: The Moderating Effect of Pay Satisfaction

Abstract

Sexual harassment in the workplace remains one of the most significant issues affecting the hospitality sector today. In particular, scholars need to better understand why some employees choose to remain employed by a company despite experiencing such harassment. Drawing from appraisal theory and social exchange theory, the goal of this study is to investigate the mediating effects of negative emotions (i.e., shame and anger) on the relationship between sexual harassment and turnover intention, and the moderating effect of pay satisfaction on the relationship between such negative emotions and turnover intention. Data were collected from 500 full-time restaurant employees in the United States. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), all direct effects were supported, except for the impact of shame on turnover intention. Moreover, anger mediated the relationship between sexual harassment and turnover intention, and pay satisfaction moderated the relationship between anger and turnover intention. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed in detail.