We all have been a victim to favoritism at work. Favoritism means exactly how it sounds. Sometimes we are not aware when work favoritism happens to us. Have you lost a promotion because of favoritism?
There is a famous phrase that permeates throughout the workplace and in our everyday lives. The phrase is “It is not what you know, but who you know.”
What happened to promotion by merit?
As a young man, I refused to believe favoritism in the workplace happens. I did not know I was naive. I think most people would say I was dumb to expect more.
I quickly learned that favoritism is rampant in some work environments and easily disguised.
Favoritism definition:
Favoritism=the showing of special favor.
Favoritism related words
Cronyism and Nepotism are more specialized terms.
How does favoritism relate to these terms?
While cronyism and nepotism are closely related to favoritism they describe the type of favoritism.
cronyism=refers to showing favoritism to friends or acquaintances.
I know you have heard of the phrase Good Ol’ Boys. The term cronyism derives from this behavior. It has gone on for centuries.
A good example of this behavior is when politicians return favors to those who helped them get elected. The politician offers a position to one of his friends or he relaxes laws to help his colleagues.
Do you think cronyism is ethical?
Would you continue to support a politician if they were found guilty of cronyism?
Do you believe cronyism is the way things get done?
nepotism=refers to the favoritism shown to relatives. The term comes from the Latin word nepos meaning nephew.
I almost expect to lose a job to a relative. It may not be fair but employers are smart enough not to show they hired a person because of nepotism.
On the other hand I would report work favoritism if it was obvious. I would hate to work for the boss’s son or close relative. I could never really trust him.
Most of the time it will be you who gets reassigned to another job if a problem arises.
Have you ever worked for a boss’s son?
If a relative were hired instead of you, would you make noise or continue to be a loyal employee?
Can you name another environment where favoritism happens?
How can we fight favoritism?
Do you believe there are good reasons for showing favoritism?
If you were the benefactor of favoritism, how would you feel morally?
Have you ever reported favoritism?
The bottom-line is that no matter what level of favoritism; if it’s based on race, gender, religion it is illegal.
