We spend a lot of our time at work- time sometimes spent just getting through the daily grind, or during breaks, enjoying lunch with a co-worker or a nice chat with the boss. But…does time on the clock ever include an hour break to watch some porn? Research would indicate so.
The UK’s official communication regulatory body, Ofcom, found in its annual “Online Nation” report of 2023 that 21% of adults watch porn between the hours of 9 am and 5:30 pm for an average 55 minutes Online nation 2023 report. (2023, November 28). https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/272288/online-nation-2023-report.pdf Copy . This equates to roughly 10 million adults watching porn during working hours in the UK. Of these, 73% are men. Interestingly, the only other time frame in which more people consumed pornography was between midnight and 9 am, where the average visit was 59 minutes Independent Digital News and Media. (2023, November 28). A fifth of people watch porn during Working Day. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/porn-watching-work-ofcom-from-home-b2454627.htmlCopy .
This may come as a surprise- that 1 in 5 adults watch pornography during the workday. But are people actually consuming porn at work? According to an online survey of 2000 working adults, nearly 60% of responders admitted to watching porn at some point while at work with varying frequencies McDonald, T. (2019, April 1). How many people watch porn at work will shock you. Harriet Sugarcookie. https://sugarcookie.com/2018/01/watch-porn-at-work/Copy .
Porn makes its way into other spheres
This phenomenon has made its way into political bodies and boardrooms. In 2022, Neil Parish resigned from the UK Parliament for watching pornography twice on his mobile in the Commons. In another UK study conducted by Express VPN, 61% of C-level executives were even found to have used their work devices to watch porn Yahoo! (n.d.). A quarter of Brits use work devices to watch porn, new survey reveals. Yahoo! https://uk.style.yahoo.com/porn-use-work-devices-survey-122557037.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALFdVhYFWTsMTkzVgol02HlSrn-num4z2Zx7O0xY8xbcK4bgyheQIqeF-rl-dmlsIMh6KyH2neg_xKOExbl0sCAmdOt2Zko_vVDiQjxR6OFW-QTIYogu6SONVMhctcBn_1GLqgQV4tFiFDV0Q3Yw3-NQ6WLUCZZFBZNDVIYEK-WV Copy .
It’s clear the numbers reveal that people are consuming porn at work – but why? Let’s take a look at the reasons for this trend.
Craig Jackson, a professor of occupational health psychology at Birmingham City University, stated in an interview with the BBC that “workers in organizations feel faceless. In the absence of good leadership, they feel overlooked, underutilized, under-challenged, under-promoted.” He continues to say that porn at work can serve as a coping mechanism, distraction, or simply stress relief Savage, M. (2022a, July 17). Why people watch pornography at work. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220714-why-people-watch-pornography-at-work Copy .
Why is consuming at work such a big deal?
These are understandable reasons to search for an outlet from the difficulties at work, but watching porn at work carries with it the potential risk to impact work relationships, productivity, and integrity (PDF) the effects of pornography on unethical behavior in business. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333785658_The_Effects_of_Pornography_on_Unethical_Behavior_in_BusinessCopy .
Negative Workplace Culture
Wendy Patrick, a career trial attorney, states that pornography is laden with “dehumanizing sexual scripts,” most often of women, that can impact how we view and treat co-workers Kato, B. (2022a, July 19). Shocking amount of people watch porn at work - and here’s why. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2022/07/19/shocking-amount-of-people-watch-porn-at-work-heres-why/ Copy . From her research and experience, she concludes that “internalizing this orientation through repeated exposure can decrease the enjoyment and productivity of workplace relationships, sometimes leading to insensitive, inappropriate interactions” Kato, B. (2022a, July 19). Shocking amount of people watch porn at work - and here’s why. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2022/07/19/shocking-amount-of-people-watch-porn-at-work-heres-why/ Copy . In other words, workplace culture is negatively affected by pornography.
Unethical Decision Making
The time spent watching pornography at work is time an employee is not tending to their contractual obligations. In 2021, the Journal of Business Ethics published a study. It revealed that participants, when prompted to recall pornographic experiences, were over twice as likely to lie about work tasks. This is to say that if faced with an important decision after consuming porn, an employee is more likely to act in an unethical manner (PDF) the effects of pornography on unethical behavior in business. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333785658_The_Effects_of_Pornography_on_Unethical_Behavior_in_BusinessCopy .
Dehumanizing Others
The study establishes through other measures that pornography’s effect on unethical behavior stems from an increased propensity to dehumanize others. In the workplace, this results in a greater tendency to lie to obtain gain and to use others (co-workers & customers) as a means to an end. Unfortunately, a dehumanizing mindset in the workplace has the potential to lead to an increased incidence of sexual harassment and hostile work culture, which harms company morale and results in costly litigation (PDF) the effects of pornography on unethical behavior in business. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333785658_The_Effects_of_Pornography_on_Unethical_Behavior_in_BusinessCopy .
We know the facts- now what?
Porn consumption in the workplace risks harming healthy and thriving work environments where co-workers engage in meaningful connections with the real people they interact with (PDF) the effects of pornography on unethical behavior in business. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333785658_The_Effects_of_Pornography_on_Unethical_Behavior_in_Business Copy . Consumers of porn at work should not be written off or demonized as detriments to their company. Instead, we aim to inform individuals on how their behavior may be negatively impacting their productivity and their work relationships.
Take a moment to reflect on your workplace interactions. The surprising statistics and studies highlight the risks to work relationships, productivity, and integrity. Instead of seeking refuge in adult content, let’s invest in creating supportive environments. It’s time to break free from the distractions that hinder professional and professional growth. Embrace a workplace where healthy relationships and connections thrive, leaving behind the negative impacts of porn consumption.
Porn – Beyond Work?
Want to know more about how porn’s harms can extend beyond office walls? Check out our documentary ‘Brain, Heart, World‘ for insights into porn’s effects on consumers’ relationships, their brain, and society. You can also visit our YouTube Channel for more information.
