Ask HRLite: I am a supervisor and I feel like I do a pretty good job overall. Still, some of my employees complain that I play “favorites” and need to try to treat everyone equally. What should I do?
HRLite’s Reply: This is a difficult problem because in this case the perception is the reality. It is a problem if your employees see you as playing favorites, even if you think they are wrong. In order to stop resentment before it starts and festers, go out of your way to show your appreciation to all of your employees. When your subordinates do something good, reward them. Even if it as simple as a verbal “thank you” or “good job.” People have a need for recognition and respect. As their supervisor, make sure that need is met on a daily basis, not just once a month or once a year. The time it takes to make sure you observe and reward positive behaviors will be worth it, because in return your subordinates will be willing to do extras for you, when you need it.
However, there are cases where employees may see favoritism, when the real problem is that they lack relevant information on the situation. One way to rectify this situation is through openness and the sharing of information. Of course, some times confidentiality rules or legal issues may prevent the sharing of information. In those cases, be honest! There is nothing wrong with saying “There is information I cannot share with you. But, I am asking you to trust me on this and I would appreciate your support and understanding.”
