how to deal with preferential treatment at work

How to Deal With Employee Complaints on Preferential Treatment

• Step 1. Observe the situation for a short time. Write down any details you see that may support the employees' claims of...
• Step 2. Add a policy to your manual that deals specifically with favoritism. Detail the types of interactions that are...
• Step 3. Create a system of goal-setting for every employee. Have...

Full Answer

How do you react to preferential treatment at work?

You might notice that employees react to preferential treatment by complaining about over-the-top favoritism, promotions, hiring and firing or employees that get the "best" offices. When you have to deal with preferential treatment at work, it's critical to avoid anger and resentment, even though it might be a natural response.

Is Your Workplace Giving you preferential treatment?

Workplaces are not immune to preferential treatment, as many people simply click or find commonalities with others that they give special attention to and provide better opportunities. We all have the freedom to choose our friends and those we associate within our lives.

How does preferential treatment lead to employee turnover?

Preferential treatment can – over time – create a hostile work environment and lead to high employee turnover. You might notice that employees react to preferential treatment by complaining about over-the-top favoritism, promotions, hiring and firing or employees that get the "best" offices.

When does preferential treatment lead to a hostile work environment?

When the preferential treatment is so noticeable that it causes anger among employees, this can lead to a hostile work environment. Under federal and state laws, employees have the right to work in a hostile-free business environment. Preferential treatment can – over time – create a hostile work environment and lead to high employee turnover.

How do you deal with preferential treatment in the workplace?

Speak up. ... Be able to say no. ... Whenever possible, share the lime-light, Payleitner says. ... Keep it professional, Taylor says. ... Remain trustworthy, Payleitner says. ... Don't accept the benefits of favoritism. ... Figure out if you're really a victim. ... Speak up.More items...•

How would you deal with Favouritism at the workplace?

How to address favouritism at workDetermine if it's favouritism. ... Consult your colleagues. ... Speak privately with management. ... Avoid extensive discussion or venting. ... Reiterate your concerns if necessary. ... Consider other options. ... Have discussions on the topic. ... Introduce or suggest a workplace culture survey.More items...•

How do you prove favoritism at work?

10 signs of favoritism at work.There are undeserved promotions. ... Only some people's input is up for consideration. ... A coworker receives extra attention from your leadership. ... There are double standards. ... It's easy to identify the boss's pet. ... You detect a sense of entitlement. ... Someone's getting extra privileges.More items...

How do you deal with unequal treatment in the workplace?

If your employer wrongfully terminates your employment or refuses to address the unfair treatment, you may need to speak with a labor law attorney about your options for filing a state or federal complaint. In some cases, you might have a cause of action to file a lawsuit against your employer.

How do I confront my boss about favoritism?

For help in navigating this tricky workplace scenario, I reached out to several Muse Career Coaches, and their advice is spot-on.Behave Normally. Act as if your boss is not playing favorites. ... Improve Yourself. ... Self-Promote. ... Take Control. ... Emulate Your Boss. ... Toss Aside Emotion. ... Build the Relationship. ... Find a Mentor.More items...•

How do I confront my boss about unfairness?

3.1 1) Give Your Boss a Chance.3.2 2) Approach them in Private.3.3 3) Don't Let Emotion Cloud Your Judgment.3.4 4) Keep It in Perspective.3.5 5) Don't Talk About it to Others.3.6 6) Define Your Aims.3.7 7) Be Time Sensitive.3.8 8) Don't Downplay Your Experience.More items...•

Is favoritism a form of harassment?

Favoritism as a form of discrimination or harassment Another situation in which favoritism is illegal occurs when supervisors provide favors to workers who acquiesce to unwelcome sexual advances. This is a type of sexual harassment called quid pro quo harassment.

Can I report favoritism at work?

Showing favoritism in the workplace is completely legal, unless the employer is discriminating against individuals on the grounds of a protected status, like race, age, sexual orientation, color, religion, ability, national origin, or gender.

How do I talk to HR about unfair treatment?

Reporting an Employer for Unfair TreatmentKeep it focused. Don't list every problem you've ever had with the company; focus on the illegal conduct. ... No legal buzzwords. Don't use legal terminology you don't fully understand. ... Be constructive. Identify what you would like to see changed. ... Avoid threats.

Do employers have to treat employees equally?

Employers are allowed to treat workers differently based on their individual job performance and can discipline and reward them differently based on that. It is also not unlawful for an employer to treat an employee differently because of personality differences.

What to do when you have been treated unfairly?

Here are seven things you can do if you think you might be being treated differently to others.Keep a record. ... Unfairness or discrimination? ... Talk to someone you trust. ... Join your Union. ... Go through official channels. ... Seek legal advice. ... You don't have to tolerate unfair treatment.

Can I take my employer to court for unfair treatment?

If your employer's conduct towards you has been unlawful or you have been unable to exercise your rights, you may be able to take legal action against your employer.

Childless

Single and childless employees report feeling saddled with extra work when co-workers with children take time off for family obligations. A 1996 Personnel Journal survey showed that 81 percent of the respondents agreed that single workers without children carried much of the responsibility in the workplace.

Nepotism

Hiring, promoting and showing other forms of preferential treatment toward relatives, close friends or paramours is nepotism. Problems occur when nepotism lowers morale and productivity. Employees have less incentive to perform their jobs well when they think promotions or pay raises are based on personal relationships with the boss.

Favoritism

Managers show favoritism by granting certain employees privileges and benefits over equally deserving co-workers. Employees complain, often privately, about the boss’s favorites getting plum assignments, pay raises, promotions and more courteous treatment overall. Resentment keeps workers who feel slighted from being productive.

Discrimination

Managers who deny employees pay raises, promotions and other opportunities for advancement because of race, gender, color, national origin or religion are violating Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Federal law also protects workers against discrimination based on age and physical disability.

What is preferential treatment?

Preferential treatment and favoritism exist when a manager or supervisor clearly demonstrates preferential treatment or additional positive rewards to one person over others that are based on their gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual preference, or other protected class and do not relate to their performance.

What is the definition of "based upon the work done by the employee"?

If an employer makes a decision regarding employment, promotion, bonuses, or other decisions related to the job it must be based upon the work done by the employee and not on any protected characteristics. For example, an employer does not have the legal right to hire a

How to build a case for discrimination against an employer?

In order to build a strong case of discrimination against your employer for illegal discrimination, you must provide evidence that suggests that the discrimination was much more than simple preferential treatment or favoritism. As a result, you may need to have concrete examples of when another person received bonuses, additional compensation, access to training, or other benefits not afforded to you. It is helpful to show a pattern of discrimination either statistically or by using “me too” witnesses who have been subjected to similar discrimination and harassment. At the end of the day, a supervisor, manager, and employer needs to make decisions that will benefit some employees and not others. Not all employees can receive promotions and bonuses. Therefore, some employees will receive preferential treatment and others will not. Whether or not this is an illegal action rests on whether the decision to promote or provide additional compensation to another employee is based upon an unlawful reason such as race, sex, gender, age, or the presence of a disability. Consider the following as you attempt to build a discrimination case based on employment discrimination:

What happens if a supervisor or supervisor punishes an employee for reporting an illegal practice in the workplace?

If a manager, supervisor, or employer punishes an employee as a result of their legal reporting of an illegal practice in the workplace, this will rise to the level of illegal retaliation. In these instances, if a supervisor or manager fails to promote or provide the same amount of compensation to a worker that engaged in whistleblowing actions or other protected forms of reporting of discrimination, harassment, unsafe working conditions, or other illegal activity, it will rise to the level of illegal retaliation.

Which act prohibits discrimination in the workplace?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment & Housing Act prohibits any discrimination in the workplace related to these types of characteristics. In these circumstances, the preference has risen from simply favoritism to an illegal act of discrimination in the workplace.

Is it discrimination to have a romantic relationship with a supervisor?

When romantic relationships occur in the workplace, especially between a supervisor and subordinate, it creates the risk of discrimination . In these instances, favoring a romantic partner over another employee with a similar or better work performance record could also constitute discrimination under the law.

What is preferential treatment?

Preferential treatment is a broad category, describing behavior that is unequally applied to workers and can inequitably benefit recipients. At times, preferential treatment is obvious. For instance, your superior has given yet another plum assignment to a junior associate from his alma mater.

When someone else receives preferential treatment, don't get mad?

When someone else receives preferential treatment, don’t get mad, get introspective, said Joel Garfinkle, an Oakland, Calif.-based executive coach and author of “Getting Ahead: Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level.”

What happens when a manager shows favoritism towards an employee?

Nothing good happens when a manager shows favoritism towards an employee. The non-favored employees begin to feel that their accomplishments are not recognized. They get discouraged at the lack of correlation between hard work and success. Gradually, people start to disengage from their work.

What is favoritism in the workplace?

Favoritism in the workplace is when a person (usually a manager) demonstrates preferential treatment to one person over all of the other employees for reasons unrelated to performance. If Sue sells 50% more product than Jane, it’s not favoritism if Sue gets the promotion, praise, and special privileges.

Do favored employees feel uncomfortable?

But it isn’t always sunshine and roses for the favored employee either. While some favored employees obviously relish their privileged spot , others begin to feel uncomfortable. They know that they aren’t the best, yet they receive praise from the manager. Other employees stop liking the favored one, which makes it difficult to make friends ...

Do managers favor one employee over another?

It may seem strange, but some managers have no idea that they favor one employee over another. In cases where the boss and the employee are good friends or have personalities that click, the boss may not see his or her favoritism as unreasonable. Sometimes, just bringing it to the manager’s attention can solve the problem.