How to Deal with Preferential Treatment in the Workplace

Do you get the feeling that your boss favors another colleague over you? Well, you’re not alone. Preferential treatment is a pressing topic in the work environment today.

I was recently interviewed by Ruth Mantell, a Washington-based MarketWatch reporter, about preferential treatment in the workplace, which by the way is something that employees report dealing with daily at work.

So is this really a key issue to be concerned about?

Well, let’s take a look at the facts. According to research conducted by Corporate Executive Board, that form of employee misconduct that employees complain about most is preferential treatment, so it quite rightly demands our attention.

Preferential treatment is not always easy to detect but at times it can be obvious.

Either way, the key is to understand how to deal with the issue in the first place. As an employee, it is essential NOT to get angry or resentful, although I realize that built-up frustration might lead to that reaction. This is your chance to convert this experience from positive to negative and really look deeper and evaluate your position in the company. This might also be the right time to stop hiding your accomplishments and take credit for your work.

If you are the boss or team lead and have been confronted with this issue by an employee, maybe it is time to refocus your attention on team building and strengthening intrapersonal relationships within the workplace.

One key factor you must consider is that not all type of preferential treatment is bad if you look at the bigger picture.

If your boss lets an employee leave early, maybe they promised to work on the weekend. In any case, if you feel neglected don’t feel shy to discuss the issue with your boss or get an advocate with influence who appreciates your work to do it for you.

Are you a victim of preferential treatment? Or are you in a leadership role wanting to understand your employees’ point of view? Either way I strongly encourage you to read the full interview here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-co-worker-is-the-bosss-pet-heres-how-to-deal-2011-11-07

Read my book, Getting Ahead, to find out how you can be the favored employee whose career is on the fast track straight to the top.