I visited Westminster today to deliver a White Paper highlighting the need for UK businesses to include sexual wellness and gender and sexuality sensitivity training in their workforce development strategy.
Sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and sexual dysfunction have all been linked to productivity, workplace wellbeing, and a positive work environment. Sexually satisfying behaviour can have positive spill-over effects on job satisfaction and engagement. Sexual dysfunction can directly impact workplace performance and mental health.
The White Paper notes that sexual activity is a strong predictor of mental health, while sexual dysfunction lowers self-esteem and confidence and increases the likelihood of anxiety and depression. Those who report the highest levels of sexual satisfaction also reported high levels of relationship satisfaction, love, and commitment. Sexual dysfunction can have workplace repercussions, such as absenteeism and presenteeism.
We brought the MPs’ attention to recent examples of institutional failures connected to sexuality, including the Baroness Casey Review into the institutional culture and standards of behaviour of the Metropolitan Police, which revealed a misogynistic, sexist, racist, and homophobic internal culture. Highlighting also the scandals over the last 3 years of several MPs being asked to step down because they were investigated for sexual harassment. In one case, a member even watched porn in the House of Commons chambers.
The White Paper details 11 recommendations for Government to improve workplace productivity and to address these institutional failures, such as including sexuality support services in all civil service Welfare Service or Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) programmes, investing in gender and sensitivity training, and connecting industry with sexuality support professionals.
The White Paper also calls for the creation of a Right to Disconnect, funding research into sexual health and wellness, increasing awareness of and access to sexual dysfunction treatment, expanding NHS psychosexual service availability UK-wide, creating awareness of and access to sexuality support services, and recognising relationship diversity.
I am thrilled to present this White Paper to MPs at Westminster. It is essential that UK businesses understand the importance of sexual health and wellness in the workplace. By implementing the initiatives outlined in the White Paper, UK businesses can create a positive work environment that promotes employee wellbeing, productivity, and engagement.
My visit to Westminster is an important step in addressing the critical issue of sexuality in the workplace. By raising awareness of the importance of sexual health and wellness, and gender and sexuality sensitivity training, the White Paper lays the foundation for positive change that can improve the lives of workers across the UK and increase profitability.
The White Paper was co-authored by:
Carla Crivaro
Cameron Fraser
Sarah Martin
The documents were handed to Sir Lindsay Hoyle and he will be delivering them to the following MPs:
Mel Stride
Steve Barclay
Kemi Badenoch
Jess Phillips
Caroline Lucas
Harriet Harman
Read the White Paper New Frontiers in Workplace Productivity: The Impact of Sexual Function and Sexual Satisfaction on the Work Environment and Productivity
Read the essay The Impact of Sexual Function and Sexual Satisfaction on the Work Environment and Work Productivity with statistics and information around the affect our sex lives can have on our work productivity and work environment.
Carla Crivaro is a trauma-informed and certified Sex, Love & Relationship Coach, she works with men and women internationally to reach their goals in delicious sex, profound love and authentic relationships. Carla helps men and women understand themselves and each other, sexually and relationally, in and out of the bedroom. You can reach her at hello@carlacrivaro.com.
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