Favoritism in the Workplace

 


Favoritism at work might seem like a small problem at first, but it can actually cause a lot of harm over time. It happens when certain employees are treated better than others, not because of their skills or hard work, but because of personal relationships, biases, or unfair advantages. Even if it seems harmless at first, it can build up and create bigger problems. 

So, What Is Favoritism in the Workplace?

Favoritism can be explained in many ways. It might be as clear as giving someone a promotion or raise without considering other people who deserve it too. Or it could be more subtle, like always giving one person the best projects or ignoring their mistakes because you're friends with them. Even small things, like a manager chatting with one employee while ignoring others, can make favoritism obvious.

At its core, favoritism means treating certain people better than others for reasons that have nothing to do with their work performance. This can create a divide in the workplace, leaving other employees feeling ignored or frustrated. Over time, this can lower morale and create an unfair environment for everyone.




The Negative Effects of Favoritism

Favoritism might seem harmless to some, but it can cause a lot of problems in the workplace. Here’s how it can affect both individuals and the overall environment:

1. Low Employee Morale

When favoritism is at play, employees who feel left out can become frustrated and demotivated. They might feel like their hard work isn't recognized, which can lead to lower job satisfaction and less engagement with their work (Leroy et al., 2015).

2. Strained Relationships

Favoritism can create divisions within teams. Employees who feel they are being treated unfairly might distance themselves from those who seem to get all the perks. This can hurt teamwork and make the workplace feel more toxic (Ho & Levesque, 2019).

3. Higher Turnover

Employees who feel like favoritism is taking over might decide to leave. High turnover can be expensive for businesses, as it takes time and money to find and train new employees. Plus, when experienced workers leave, the company loses valuable knowledge (Baldwin & Ford, 2019).

4. Unfair Career Growth

When favoritism affects promotions, hard-working employees may feel they’re being overlooked. This can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation, and over time, the best workers might leave for better opportunities elsewhere (Kaufman, 2019).


How to Create a Fair and Equal Workplace


If favoritism is an issue at work, there are some easy steps organizations can take to make things fairer for everyone. Here are some simple strategies:

1. Be Clear About Decisions

To reduce favoritism, make sure everyone understands how decisions are made. When things like promotions or rewards are based on clear rules, it’s harder for bias to influence the outcome.

2. Give Everyone a Fair Chance to Grow

Make sure everyone has the same chance to move up in their career. Offer training, mentorship, and promotions based on skills, not relationships. Managers should check in with all employees, not just their favorites, to understand their goals.

3. Provide Anti-Bias Training

Help employees and managers learn about unconscious biases through anti-bias training. This can help prevent favoritism in hiring, promotions, and daily interactions.

4. Encourage Open Communication

Create a workplace where employees feel comfortable speaking up if they feel things aren’t fair. This can be done through regular feedback or anonymous reporting, so people can share concerns without fear.

5. Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

Promote diversity in the workplace. When people from different backgrounds feel respected, favoritism has less chance to take hold, and everyone feels valued for what they bring to the table.


Conclusion

Favoritism at work can cause problems for both employees and the company if it’s not addressed. It can lead to frustration and even cause people to leave. But by spotting favoritism early and taking action, companies can create a fairer, more positive workplace. Being clear about decisions, offering equal opportunities, providing anti-bias training, and encouraging open communication are all important steps in making sure everyone is treated fairly. When everyone has a fair chance, employees are happier and more productive, which helps the whole company succeed.


References

  • Leroy, H., Anseel, F., Gardner, D. G., & Sels, L. (2015). The Role of Supervisor Support in the Relationship Between Organizational Justice and Employee Creativity. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(6), 913-930. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2020
  • Ho, V. T., & Levesque, M. (2019). Favoritism in Organizations: The Role of Perceived Justice. Journal of Business Ethics, 155(3), 695-709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04319-3
  • Baldwin, T. T., & Ford, J. K. (2019). Managing Employees’ Reactions to Favoritism. Academy of Management Perspectives, 33(4), 440-452. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2019.0057
  • Kaufman, B. E. (2019). Theoretical Perspectives on Work and the Employment Relationship (6th ed.). ILR Press.



Comments

  1. Jasmine JayakodyApril 3, 2025 at 11:40 PM

    Favoritism in the workplace can harm morale, create divisions, increase turnover, and hinder career advancement. To address it, companies should implement clear decision-making criteria, anti-bias training, and ensure equal opportunities for all employees.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chathuri SamarawickramaApril 4, 2025 at 6:45 AM

    Favoritism in the workplace undermines trust, morale, and employee engagement. It creates an unfair environment where talent and hard work take a backseat to personal biases, which can lead to resentment and high turnover. A fair and inclusive approach is essential for maintaining a healthy organizational culture.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Poornima Abeykoon April 4, 2025 at 7:13 AM

    This is an important topic that many people experience but don’t talk about.
    Favoritism can create unfairness and lower motivation among employees.
    Workplaces should focus on equal treatment to build a healthy environment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Prasanna KumaraApril 4, 2025 at 8:23 AM


    Favoritism occurs when employees receive special treatment based on personal relationships rather than their performance. This can lead to unfair promotions and unequal recognition, harming trust and morale within the team. Leaders should strive to create a fair workplace where all contributions are valued.

    ReplyDelete
  5. chinthanashilpikaApril 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM

    Preventing favoritism isn't just about fairness, it's smart business. When employees believe promotions and rewards are earned fairly, they work harder and stay longer.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Manori KolonnageApril 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM

    Addressing favoritism requires a proactive approach to create an equitable workplace. Implementing clear performance metrics, promoting accountability among leadership, and regularly reviewing decisions for fairness are effective strategies. Empowering HR to mediate and intervene when favoritism arises is also much important and this approach would lead the organization and employees to thrive and shine.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kasun MaddumahewaApril 5, 2025 at 7:04 AM

    You’ve explained favoritism in the workplace really well in your blog. I think it can make employees feel frustrated and might even lead some to quit. I appreciated the detailed points you shared. Looking forward to more posts like this!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dan C April 11, 2025 at 11:47 PM

    It is very common in Sri Lankan government sector when favouritism is at play, employees who feel left out can become frustrated and demotivated.

    ReplyDelete

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