Understanding Favouritism in the Workplace: Definition, Examples, and Consequences

Favouritism refers to the practice of giving preferential treatment to one person or group over others, often based on personal biases or prejudices. This can manifest in various ways, such as:

1. Hiring or promoting based on personal connections rather than qualifications or merit.
2. Providing more resources or opportunities to certain individuals or teams over others.
3. Giving preferential treatment to certain customers or clients over others.
4. Showing bias in decision-making or evaluation processes.
5. Playing favorites when assigning tasks, responsibilities, or projects.

Favouritism can create a perception of unfairness and can lead to resentment, low morale, and decreased productivity among those who are not favored. It can also undermine the integrity and credibility of the person or organization engaging in favouritism.

It is important to note that favouritism does not always involve intentional or conscious bias. Unconscious biases and personal preferences can also influence decision-making and lead to unfair treatment. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of one's own biases and to take steps to mitigate them in order to ensure fairness and equity.