{"id":2530,"date":"2018-08-16T21:03:03","date_gmt":"2018-08-16T21:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=2530"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:27:23","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:27:23","slug":"how-to-confront-your-boss-about-unfairness-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/how-to-confront-your-boss-about-unfairness-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Confront Your Boss About Unfairness at Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unfairness at work is frustrating. Whether it\u2019s because you\u2019re not getting credit for your work, or because your boss loves to play favorites, it can be difficult to take. At the same time, it\u2019s hard to confront your boss about the issue. After all, whatever your boss says, goes, right?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the way it usually is, but it\u2019s not the way it has to be. In cases of genuine unfairness, you should confront your boss about any problems<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s not as easy as it sounds, but by being forthright, you can get what you want.<\/p>\n

This guide addresses what exactly counts as unfairness at work? When you\u2019re inside the situation, it can be difficult to tell. Your colleagues might not class your boss\u2019 behavior as unfairness, and maybe you don\u2019t either. But check the ‘unfairness at work’ section below, because you might be surprised at what a real workplace should be like.<\/p>\n

Afterward, we take a look at how to report an unfair boss. That could be through confronting them directly and asking them to explain something you see as unfair. Or, it could be the ultimate step and reporting your boss to their <\/em>boss (or to HR).<\/p>\n

[su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n

What is Unfairness at Work?<\/h2>\n

So, what exactly is unfairness at work? There are more than a dozen varieties. If you grew up with a brother or a sister, you might recognize one or two of them from your time living at home. Curiously, unfairness in the workplace is quite similar to family life.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at some examples of unfairness in the workplace to show you what we mean.<\/p>\n

1) My Boss is Friends with a Coworker<\/h3>\n

One of the clearest examples of injustice at work is favoritism. This is where the boss likes one person far more than anyone else. This can lead to all sorts of unfair behavior, which we\u2019ll go into in more detail below. But on a basic level, it means that the boss treats other people much nicer than you.<\/p>\n

2) Unfair Criticism<\/h3>\n

Favoritism leads to unfair criticism. When you hand in a project that you\u2019ve worked exceptionally hard on, the boss looks for faults. Never mind how hard you worked, or that you did a good job. All they can think to do is pick holes in your project, which is utterly demoralizing. On the other hand, shoddy work from the boss\u2019 favorites gets nothing but plaudits.<\/p>\n

3) Scapegoating<\/h3>\n

According to Psychology Today<\/strong>,<\/a> scapegoating is a key part of narcissism. When something goes wrong, it\u2019s your fault. When something isn\u2019t on time, it\u2019s your fault. In fact, anything at all that\u2019s anything but perfect–it\u2019s your fault. Being the one to shoulder the blame after every slip-up is often unfair because other people played their part in the failure too. But it always seems to be you that gets the blame.<\/p>\n

4) Discrimination<\/h3>\n

Discrimination is unfairness but taken up a notch. It could be based on anything from your gender, physical size<\/strong><\/a>, beliefs or religion to the color of your skin. But whatever it\u2019s for, the boss took a dislike to you for something you can\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

\"workplace<\/p>\n

Discrimination isn\u2019t just unfair, it\u2019s actually illegal in many ways. According to Pew Research Center<\/a><\/strong>, gender and racial discrimination are both still alive and well in U.S. workplaces.<\/p>\n

5) Taking Credit Unfairly<\/h3>\n

Another problem is when either your boss or another employee takes credit unfairly. You worked hard on a project for your boss, and when they told their <\/em>boss about it, they took the credit. In the worst case scenario, they don\u2019t even mention that you had a hand in it at all. This isn\u2019t just unfair. It can mean that you miss out on a promotion, bonus or pay rise because they lied.<\/p>\n

6) Breaking Promises (Bonuses and Promotions)<\/h3>\n

On the subject of pay rises and promotions<\/a><\/strong>, sometimes your boss might promise you one but eventually break that promise. They pay you lip service and tell you that if you work hard, you\u2019ll earn one. They know exactly the spot that\u2019ll open up early next year. And they\u2019ll put your name in the running. But despite making you promises, they never keep them, and only string you along. By contrast, others move up the ladder quickly. That\u2019s unfair.<\/p>\n

7) Unfair Pay Structure<\/h3>\n

It might be taboo, but you may find out what somebody else is earning for doing the same job as you. The surprise is if they are being paid much more for the same work.<\/p>\n

This is especially egregious if they\u2019ve only just been hired, or if it seems like it\u2019s being done because of discrimination. This is the case with the gender pay gap. According to Statista<\/a><\/strong>, women still only earn 80.5% of what men earn in the U.S. each year.<\/p>\n

8) Only Getting Bad Shifts<\/h3>\n

If you do shift work, you\u2019ll know how it feels to get the bad shifts. That could mean that you\u2019re always the one to work the late shift. Depending on the job, it could also mean that you\u2019re the one to switch your shift from early to late constantly. That can take a real toll on your health and mental well-being. If your boss constantly assigns you \u2018bad shifts,\u2019 that\u2019s most definitely an example of unfairness.<\/p>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

9) Refusing Holidays<\/h3>\n

Have you found that your boss is unreasonable when it comes to holidays? Do they always seem to say no whenever you ask, because of some unforeseen problem? Everyone has. But if their favorites can have holiday time whenever they want, that\u2019s unfair.<\/p>\n

10) Excessive Punishment<\/h3>\n

If you infringe a rule, it\u2019s only right that you\u2019re punished. But if that punishment goes above and beyond what\u2019s specified by company guidelines, that\u2019s unfair, especially if others aren\u2019t subject to the same punishment. The same applies if you\u2019re punished for something that wasn\u2019t your fault (like scapegoating). Not to mention, if you\u2019re punished for something that doesn\u2019t require punishment.<\/p>\n

11) Unrealistic Workload<\/h3>\n

Unfair bosses love to pile an unrealistic workload on their scapegoats. By setting their scapegoat up for failure, it gives them an excellent reason to take their anger out on them. And depending on the work culture at your business, it\u2019s unacceptable to complain that you\u2019re working too much. Compare what you have to do with what other people have to do. Do you have to work far harder than anybody else? That\u2019s unfair by anybody\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n

12) Unfair Dismissal<\/h3>\n

Last but not least, you have an unfair dismissal. Like discrimination, you may be able to take legal action if you\u2019re unfairly dismissed. It depends on your state. It\u2019s a big step to go down the legal route, so before you do, take a step back. The first step you take should be to talk to your boss. Let\u2019s take a look at how.<\/p>\n

How To Confront Your Boss About Unfairness at Work<\/h2>\n

So, now the all-important question: how do you confront your boss about something that\u2019s unfair? It\u2019s not as simple as walking up to them and asking them why you\u2019re being treated a certain way. What happens if they don\u2019t believe you? Where\u2019s your evidence? Well, to get around that problem, all you have to do is follow this simple guide.<\/p>\n

\"unfairly<\/p>\n

1) Contact HR to Ask for Guidance<\/h3>\n

It would be best to be able to sort it out between the two of you. But, ultimately, it doesn\u2019t work like that. At some point, it\u2019s highly likely that you\u2019ll need HR on your side. Now, most businesses have different guidelines when it comes to HR: what you need to prove an accusation, internal methods of dispute resolution and so on. Contact HR to ask them what the procedure is to bring a complaint, and start there.<\/p>\n

2) Make a Record of What\u2019s Unfair<\/h3>\n

The first step that HR will probably advise you to take is to make a record of what you perceive to be unfair. Any time your boss unfairly criticizes your work. Any time they shout at you over something trivial. Whatever the problem, make a note of what happens and when. This will help you build up a clear picture of a pattern of unfair behavior. Ultimately, that\u2019s what will prove your side of the story.<\/p>\n

3) Have an Informal Chat with Your Boss<\/h3>\n

Before you go the whole hog, have a chat with your boss. If you\u2019re lucky, you can resolve a problem there and then. It might be the case that they don\u2019t even realize they’re unfair. If you bring it to their attention in a genuine and non-confrontational way, they might see sense. So, give them a chance to explain why they\u2019ve broken a promise or why they\u2019ve behaved a certain way.<\/p>\n

4) Make an Official Complaint<\/h3>\n

So, it\u2019s time to learn how to complain about your boss to his boss!<\/p>\n

If the worst comes to the worst, you can make an official complaint with their boss, or with HR. There should be an internal disciplinary process that occurs when a complaint is made. This is where your record comes in handy. With HR\u2019s guidance on what you should do, you should be able to prove your point. What happens at that point depends on your company\u2019s disciplinary guidelines.<\/p>\n

5) Further Steps<\/h3>\n

In some cases, it may be possible or necessary to take a case further. In the event of genuine legally defined discrimination, you may be able to take the matter to court. This is a lengthy and expensive process that not many people like to take. Alternatively, you could seek employment elsewhere. These final steps aren\u2019t usually necessary, however.<\/p>\n

How to Report Unfair Treatment at Work<\/h2>\n

Our guide makes it sound quite simple, but in reality, it\u2019s anything but. There are many things you should remember when it comes to reporting unfair treatment at work. Let\u2019s take a look at some hints and tips on doing just that.<\/p>\n

1) Give Your Boss a Chance<\/h3>\n

The first thing you should remember is to give your boss a chance. It\u2019s like the old saying: before you judge somebody, you should walk a mile in their shoes. There might be a perfectly good explanation for your boss\u2019 behavior that you haven\u2019t thought of. So, give them a chance, and try to see things from their perspective. Even better is if you can have a frank and forthright discussion with them about it.<\/p>\n

2) Approach them in Private<\/h3>\n

If you do decide to talk to your boss, you should do it in private. Don\u2019t talk with them when there\u2019s anybody else around, especially any co-workers or management. If you do confront them in front of other people, your boss thinks about two things. First: deny what happened to save face. Nobody wants to look bad, especially somebody who treats others unfairly.<\/p>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

Second: they will see it as somebody challenging their authority. If that\u2019s the case, things can get ugly, and fast. Unfair bosses hate having their authority undermined, so they won\u2019t just deny what you say. They\u2019ll go further. If you\u2019re unlucky, they might go on the attack. This could take the form of serious accusations, which is a real risk for you. Have a private meeting instead, and you can both be truthful with one another.<\/p>\n

3) Don\u2019t Let Emotion Cloud Your Judgment<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re treated unfairly at work, it feels like a personal slight. That\u2019s exactly what it is: you\u2019ve worked hard, so why don\u2019t you deserve a promotion or a raise? Like all things that are unfair, it feels awful when you\u2019re subject to bad treatment at work. But don\u2019t let that cloud your judgment.<\/p>\n

By screaming or shouting, acting in a passive-aggressive manner, or by doing something to get back at your boss you aren\u2019t helping your chances of a positive resolution. Remember, it might go to HR. If you do something negative, your boss might use it as an excuse. HR might not see your side of the story because the focus is on your <\/em>negative behavior. So don\u2019t let emotion cloud your judgment.<\/p>\n

4) Keep It in Perspective<\/h3>\n

If you think of the problem as something monumental, then that\u2019s what it\u2019ll be. Always remember that there\u2019s a solution to every problem. It might be that you can talk your boss around easily. If not, you might be able to go through HR. If not, there are always other jobs–maybe even better-paying jobs– elsewhere. So remember that every cloud has a silver lining. After all, there\u2019s no point filing a successful complaint if you\u2019re miserable from start to finish.<\/p>\n

Plus, don\u2019t exaggerate what happened. Be truthful and be reasonable. If you have a genuine case to put forward, it will speak for itself. There\u2019s no need to embellish your story or make it worse than it was. Worst case scenario, you\u2019ll be found out, and your whole story will be thrown out lies and all. Your boss would be pleased, but you definitely wouldn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n

5) Don\u2019t Talk About it to Others<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s nothing to be gained from gossip. If you talk to your co-workers about your complaint, they\u2019ll tell everyone they know, and soon your boss will know. If you thought that your unfair treatment was bad up to this point, you should wait. An unreasonable, vindictive boss can make your life a misery if you aren\u2019t careful. So, before you\u2019ve had a chance to resolve the problem, you should keep it to yourself.<\/p>\n

6) Define Your Aims<\/h3>\n

Before you make a complaint, figure out what your aims are. Do you genuinely still want to seek that promotion or wage rise at your current employer? Or are you just trying to get one over on your boss? If it\u2019s the former, make a complaint. If it\u2019s the latter, there\u2019s no point in taking the complaint any further. Why? An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. You\u2019ll waste weeks, months or maybe even years of your life in a pointless battle to \u2018get one over\u2019 on somebody. It\u2019s not worth your time, so take the high road instead.<\/p>\n

7) Be Time Sensitive<\/h3>\n

If you are going to confront your boss, you should be time sensitive. What does that mean? It\u2019s simple: pick a good time to talk to them. Don\u2019t grab them when they\u2019re rushing off somewhere, because they won\u2019t give you the time you need. Don\u2019t bring it up when the two of you are angry with one another. The best thing to do is to bring it up at a scheduled time, so tell your boss you\u2019d like to chat with them as soon as possible. Talking either formally or informally could work.<\/p>\n

8) Don\u2019t Downplay Your Experience<\/h3>\n

Not everybody likes to complain. Some people could make a living from it, but the vast majority of us don\u2019t like to make a fuss. So even when you do make a complaint, it might be tempting to add \u201c…But it wasn\u2019t as bad as it sounds!\u201d That\u2019s a fatal error. Your boss, their boss, and <\/em>HR all want the problem to go away. Not only that, but they want it to go away by any means necessary. If you make it clear that the problem isn\u2019t much of a problem at all, they\u2019ll take that as their jumping off point to dismiss everything you say. Be your own best friend and back yourself up.<\/p>\n

9) Don\u2019t Involve Others<\/h3>\n

You also have to be very careful not to involve other people in your accusations. Let\u2019s say that you\u2019re complaining about something that happened at the office Christmas party. Now, there almost certainly would have been witnesses to your boss\u2019 bad behavior.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not always a good idea to involve other people in your story as there are no few real friends in the workplace<\/a><\/strong>. If you tell HR \u201cOh, and ABC and XYZ were there, and they saw everything!\u201d then you\u2019re setting yourself up for a fall. What if they don\u2019t want to get involved? Suddenly your story isn\u2019t so convincing. Rely on your own account instead, especially the records you kept.<\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s crunch time: time to confront your boss. Where do you start? The first thing you should do, no matter what your situation is, is to start making a record of your boss\u2019 unfair actions. There\u2019s no point going in all-guns-blazing. If you start proceedings now, all you have is your word against theirs. You have to start with a record.<\/p>\n

Once you have your record, the choice is yours. If your boss\u2019 behavior improved, you could choose to keep your record and leave off. If not, you now have the option to press forward. You can either move forward internally or externally. But the question is whether or not you believe it\u2019s worth it to you.<\/p>\n

Consider the following points:<\/p>\n