February 18th 2025.
As the world slowly adjusts to a post-pandemic reality, the concept of favoritism in the workplace is taking on a new meaning. With many companies shifting their focus away from COVID-19 and encouraging employees to return to the office, the issue of favoritism has become more prominent. While big-name companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase are eager to have their employees back in the building, not everyone is on board with this change.
With the option of remote or hybrid work schedules, highly skilled employees are leaving companies that have reinstated in-office policies that existed before the pandemic. In order to retain these valuable employees, companies are resorting to preferential treatment. This means that top performers are given special privileges, such as the ability to skip the commute to the office.
Dan Kaplan, a senior client partner at Korn Ferry's CHRO practice, shared his thoughts on this trend with Fortune, stating, "You can say it's favoritism, you could say it's preferential treatment. You could call it a host of different things, and they're all probably right. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach, employers are creating more exceptions, which can appear inconsistent and give the appearance of favoritism."
Although favoritism in the workplace is not a new issue, its visibility has increased with the implementation of return-to-office policies. This is because top performers, higher-ranked employees, and executives are often given more leeway when it comes to following these policies. This can cause tension among other employees who may feel resentful towards those who are given preferential treatment.
According to Zhao, this preference in who can come into the office can also have a negative impact on company culture. "If there's a perception that you're playing favorites, it can be damaging for your culture," she explains. "It's important for companies to have clear standards and enforce them consistently, otherwise it can cause issues within the workplace."
Furthermore, this preference for higher-classified employees can also extend to the perks and benefits they are given in their roles. However, with the growing popularity of remote work, companies must consider the impact this has on all employees and their dedication to their responsibilities.
The issue of favoritism in the workplace is a delicate one, especially as companies navigate a post-pandemic landscape. While it may seem like a simple solution to give preferential treatment to top performers, it can have negative consequences on company culture and employee morale. It's important for companies to have clear and fair policies in place to avoid any perceived favoritism and maintain a positive work environment for all employees.
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