MSPB: Favoritism on the rise in the Federal Workplace.
The MSPB’s January 2007 Newsletter reports that favoritism in the Federal workplace may be a big problem.
Favoritism is when a supervisor gives an edge, a financial or personnel benefit, or special treatment to some employees but not others. The MSPB Newsletter suggests that over one-third of federal employees have witnessed favoritism in career advancement opportunities, awards, training, disciplinary actions, pay, job assignments, and performance appraisals.
I see touches of favoritism in nearly every MSPB or EEOC case I’ve handled over the past few years. Sometimes, a manager likes a particular employee better because they go to the same church, or grew up together. Other times the manager favors a particular race, gender, age or other protected group - in those cases, the favoritism may rise to the level of discrimination.
Interestingly, I am seeing and hearing about more situations where managers dating or having sexual affairs with subordinates. I have heard of two situations in the past month where the Federal Work Place seemed more like Peyton Place.
If you feel that your manager’s favoritism is discriminatory or has resulted in an adverse action, please speak with your Union or a Federal Employee attorney.
