Favouritism in the workplace is not a new vocabulary in most of our staff rooms. Heads of institutions or managers give preferential treatment to particular individuals, a crude behaviour that all members clearly know of in the teaching fraternity.
Certain members closely inclined to the head of the institution would receive a recommendation for promotion. At the same time, those old hands would most likely be overlooked because some could be so liquid, resolving the boss’s financial stress, lovers, or side chicks.
All administrators should be informed that when staff members reach a stalemate in their issues, they normally voice their concerns to the school administrators through the teachers they favour most.
Favouritism at work erodes fairness, trust, and open engagement, negatively impacting the normal institution’s culture flow.
Notably, some administrators do favour their tribespeople at their places of work and even molest other staff members who may not understand their vernacular language.
The degree of favouritism at the workplace is often overlooked, but it can lead to unnecessary tension, decreased morale, and unfair treatment of other unsuspecting teachers.
“Why should some teachers be treated better than others, yet they do the same job and are under the same terms and conditions of service?
If the administrator has a relative, a spouse, or a close accomplice, ‘every issue is first discussed analytically by the institution’s favourites before it comes to the fore,’ one teacher quipped privately.
READ ALSO:
Ramba Boys awarded trophies for sterling performance at drama festivals
Other members of the staff should be sensitive to realising who the school’s first class is and identifying how and why it happens.
This can jeopardise employees’ trust in their leadership, undermine collaboration, breed resentment, and create unnecessary conflict.
There are occasions in institutions when we have double standards, as the administrator executes work. A wrong done by one teacher is a right done by another.
When favouritism reaches alarming levels, the wrong employees move up the ladder while deserving ones are disregarded. The wrong employees are promoted because they have a personal relationship with decision-makers. It’s not in any way that they have the skills and experience to help them thrive.
It can often seem that only favoured employees receive praise and recognition, while others feel that nothing they can do is good enough.
Ironically, most technical tasks are skillfully done by the teachers whom the administrators do not favour.
It’s always important to recognise teachers without any form of partiality. Most older teachers have a lot of experience.
It’s honestly sinful for a teacher with low qualifications to administer a more qualified teacher just because of an unmeritorious promotion.
Muhalya is an experienced teacher based in the North Rift.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
