Research sheds light on misogynistic gaslighting in the corporate environment.
An article by Beatriz Maria Barbosa Braga , professor at FGV EAESP , and Antonio Giurni Camargo , Master in People Management from FGV EAESP , published in GV Executivo magazine , investigates the phenomenon of misogynistic gaslighting in work relationships and its consequences for professionals and organizations.
This study begins with the observation that workplace harassment remains a significant challenge in the corporate environment, with direct effects on mental health, professional performance, and organizational dynamics. Among the different forms of harassment, misogynistic gaslighting stands out for the subtlety of the process, in which women begin to doubt their own abilities, while the aggressor often portrays themselves as a victim of the situation.
Traditionally associated with personal relationships, the concept of gaslighting is analyzed in an organizational context based on in-depth interviews with women with established careers. The research identifies that, in the workplace, the phenomenon does not necessarily depend on compromised mental health, but operates through continuous psychological manipulation, professional discrediting, and the use of gender stereotypes to limit the development of victims.
The results allowed for the reconstruction of the stages of the misogynistic gaslighting process, from the work environment to the impacts on women's careers and the potential harm to companies, such as decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and difficulty in retaining talent. The article contributes to the adaptation of legal and academic concepts to corporate reality and offers support for the identification and confrontation of this type of harassment in organizations.
