Focus on HR: Favoritism in the workplace
Dec 19, 2010
FAVORITISM in the workplace can be one of the most de-motivating things one might experience. In the workplace, favoritism refers to when someone appears to be treated better than others and not necessarily for reasons related to superior work performance.
HR INSIGHT With Paula Kyabaggu Mukama
FAVORITISM in the workplace can be one of the most de-motivating things one might experience. In the workplace, favoritism refers to when someone appears to be treated better than others and not necessarily for reasons related to superior work performance.
It can be the hardest things to overcome especially if it is your supervisor given favoritism over another worker that may be in competition with you.
Favoritism can occur in pretty much any office environment, large or small.
It could include a colleague being promoted faster than others, being paid more to do the same job as others, or being given more leeway to come and go during the day as they please.
The end result is that they appear to be treated better than others and for no valid reason.
How you react to the favoritism really depends on how blatant, meritable or illegal it is. Your company’s willingness to tolerate such behaviour is also key.
Before you consider going public with a complaint about favoritism think about the possible consequences.
Whistleblowers are increasingly being offered more protection in some countries but whether or not your complaint is legitimate and provable might be the biggest obstacle and a public announcement could end up causing you long-term grief.
If the favoritism you are witnessing is holding you back or hurting you and you feel it is based on illegal reasons such as race, sex, or age, you might consider going public with it.
But you would obviously need proof of wrongdoing to have a case.
You might also question yourself on whether your current job is worth fighting for.
Do you want to work for a company that tolerates favoritism if you can find a better opportunity elsewhere? It can be a situation where you have to tread lightly so that you do not ruin your current standing in the company.
Depending on the specific situation, you might have a hard time proving favoritism incidents at work, or getting any sort of positive resolution to it.
Short of getting a new job, you might consider exploring other options depending on your situation such as speaking with a Human Resources rep from your company.
Also make sure you are familiar with your company’s policies towards this issue. There may be processes in place that can help and guide you.
jobs@newvision.co.ug
FAVORITISM in the workplace can be one of the most de-motivating things one might experience. In the workplace, favoritism refers to when someone appears to be treated better than others and not necessarily for reasons related to superior work performance.
It can be the hardest things to overcome especially if it is your supervisor given favoritism over another worker that may be in competition with you.
Favoritism can occur in pretty much any office environment, large or small.
It could include a colleague being promoted faster than others, being paid more to do the same job as others, or being given more leeway to come and go during the day as they please.
The end result is that they appear to be treated better than others and for no valid reason.
How you react to the favoritism really depends on how blatant, meritable or illegal it is. Your company’s willingness to tolerate such behaviour is also key.
Before you consider going public with a complaint about favoritism think about the possible consequences.
Whistleblowers are increasingly being offered more protection in some countries but whether or not your complaint is legitimate and provable might be the biggest obstacle and a public announcement could end up causing you long-term grief.
If the favoritism you are witnessing is holding you back or hurting you and you feel it is based on illegal reasons such as race, sex, or age, you might consider going public with it.
But you would obviously need proof of wrongdoing to have a case.
You might also question yourself on whether your current job is worth fighting for.
Do you want to work for a company that tolerates favoritism if you can find a better opportunity elsewhere? It can be a situation where you have to tread lightly so that you do not ruin your current standing in the company.
Depending on the specific situation, you might have a hard time proving favoritism incidents at work, or getting any sort of positive resolution to it.
Short of getting a new job, you might consider exploring other options depending on your situation such as speaking with a Human Resources rep from your company.
Also make sure you are familiar with your company’s policies towards this issue. There may be processes in place that can help and guide you.
jobs@newvision.co.ug