June 14, 2021, by HR Search & Rescue Most workers have experienced unfair treatment in the workplace at some point in their careers either directly or indirectly. We’ve had that boss that plays favorites or that doesn’t ensure equal opportunity for every employee. There is a good chance that these experiences either made you or a coworker feel undermined and not very valuable. Unfair treatment can be detrimental to workplace morale and the motivation and efficiency of your workforce. This is why it’s critical for employers to understand why consistently treating employees fairly across their workforce is necessary for overall company success. Maintain Your Company Brand One of the most essential reasons why you should ensure your employees are treated fairly is to maintain a positive reputation. No one wants to be associated with a company that treats workers poorly and that plays favorites among their ranks — especially nowadays. When all employees experience the same level of respect from the leaders of their company, more meaningful relationships and motivated workers will result. Without genuine and trusting professional relationships, you risk creating a negative employer brand. Current employees may begin to look for new and better opportunities while great potential candidates may reconsider joining your company. Fair vs Equal Treatment In order to understand how to properly establish a fair workplace environment, it is crucial to understand the difference between fair and equal treatment. Treating every employee fairly does not necessarily mean treating every employee equally. Yes, each employee should receive equal treatment and opportunities, but every employee is also unique. Fair, equal treatment involves catering to the unique needs, motivations, and goals of each employee the same without playing favorites among your ranks. All employees have subtle but important nuances in their work ethics, styles, skill sets, responsibilities, and goals that should be catered to and nurtured. Create an Engaging Employee Experience Fairness means treating every employee as an individual based on their unique circumstances and contributions. A good place to start is to explain your expectations clearly to every employee. What kind of performance or results should they strive for? What kind of rewards can employees who exhibit this outstanding performance expect? Make sure each employee has the chance to reach these personal and organizational goals on their own terms using their unique skill set. Your employees also need to feel valued beyond members of your team. It’s essential you meet their unique working situations with understanding and respect. If one of them is going through a tough time or situation, then their performance will likely suffer as well. Try to not just know but understand these circumstances so you can better establish a workplace environment that highlights their strengths. Workers Perform Better When Rewarded Equitably People work for rewards; there is just no way around it. Do you know anyone who goes to work not expecting to be compensated? Many managers assume that the salary, hourly wage, or contract rate for coming to work is enough — but these managers are missing the bigger picture. In fact, the number-one reason people quit their job is poor management, not low wages. Your employees need to feel that they’re being compensated fairly for the value they’re providing to the company. As a manager, you need to know what drives your employees and which factors are the ones motivating them to do better work. If you can’t figure this puzzle out, how can you help them improve efficiency and output? This type of compensation is not just monetary. Increased responsibility, availability of resources, collaborative opportunities, continual feedback, managerial support, and professional development opportunities are all great ways to show employees that they are truly valued. At the end of the day, employees want to know that the work they are doing means something and that the ones they are helping actually care about their lives and their future. Equality and inclusion should be a critical focus for any company that wants to establish a powerful brand and a competitive atmosphere. Both equality and fair treatment lead to happier, more engaged, and productive employees who are proud to vouch for your company. HR Search and Rescue is an HR Consulting Firm that specializes in helping businesses solve complex workplace issues while improving employee output and efficiency. Our professional HR consultants are dedicated to helping clients feel safe, and they always work diligently to protect confidential information. Contact us online to get in touch with one of our third-party HR consultants today and discuss fair treatment.
