Perceived unequal treatment.
WHY IT IS A COMMON CAUSE
People assess their treatment relative to others constantly.
WHAT PEOPLE COMPARE
Pay Workload Opportunities and development Flexibility allowed How rules are applied Recognition
WHY RULE APPLICATION MATTERS MOST
Inconsistent enforcement is felt more acutely than the rule itself.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether the perception is accurate.
WHY
It frequently is.
WHAT TO EXAMINE
Whether similar situations are treated similarly Whether exceptions have been made Whether decisions can be explained
WHAT TO DO ABOUT GENUINE INCONSISTENCY
Correct it.
WHY
Defending an indefensible difference destroys trust broadly.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT JUSTIFIED DIFFERENCES
Explain the basis.
WHY
Differences people understand are accepted; unexplained ones are not.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Transparent criteria for decisions that affect people.
WHAT THOSE COVER
How pay is determined How opportunities are allocated How flexibility is granted How rules apply
WHY TRANSPARENCY
It removes the space where unfairness is assumed.
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Exceptions granted informally.
WHY
They become precedents and they are discovered.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That exceptions are decided consistently and recorded.
WHAT TO AVOID
Telling people not to discuss their treatment Dismissing fairness concerns as not their business
WHY
It confirms that something is being concealed.
WHAT TO DO
Address the substance.
