Is it Better to be Nice or Fair to Your Employees?

Managers walk a fine line between giving employees what they want and meeting the needs of the organization. Often, we are expected to accomplish both without any direction as to how to attain this goal.

Time and again I have been in discussions about the need to be kind to our employees and not so structured in how we approach problems. In other words - find a way to let the employee get what they want but do it within the rules. Sometimes this is possible, but at other times it isn't.

While I agree we always need to treat employees with respect and dignity, we can't always be "nice." I put "nice" in quotes because what this means is highly subjective. If we say let people do whatever they want, then I do not agree with being nice. But if we mean treating people with dignity and respect, then I am on board.

In place of being nice what if managers practice treating their employees fairly? And what do I mean by fair?

Defining Fairness

First, give all employees the same level of respect and reward based on what employees do that leads to organizational success.

For example, if an employee is looking for a day off that might be challenging to give based on staffing requirements, but they are always picking up extra days, staying late, and taking on extra work, then they are given more flexibility in getting the time off they want.

All employees would have the ability to get this type of flexibility if all employees give the same effort. Fairness then is defined by the level of contribution the employee makes to the success of the team.

Second, set clear goals and manage all employees to meet those standards. Often, managers layout expectations for their teams but then fail to hold people accountable consistently.  So, fairness, in this case, is about being consistent with stated intent and your actions.  It is this type of balance that leads to creating teams that thrive.

Accessing the Doctrine of Fairness

Finally, fairness is not about letting everybody do whatever they want. If that were the case, then it would be the same as a parent who set the expectation that their children study hard, but when one child gets an A in their exam, and the next gets a D they both get ice cream. Giving a reward not earned isn't fair, and it doesn't set the right effort/reward paradigm that will lead to success.

One further point on fairness - respect for your employees, means that you believe that they can achieve the best. If you didn't respect them, you wouldn't expect greatness. By challenging them to be high achievers you are demonstrating your level of respect for them. If you want to treat people reasonably then, you must set a minimum level of acceptable work for the team and hold everyone accountable to that level.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, always treat your employees with equal respect and dignity. All human beings deserve that much. But when it comes to rewards and flexibility treat them in a manner that is fair meaning it is based on what they have earned - what they have contributed to the organization. Set the correct expectations so that your team is high achieving. Fairness is about rewarding what is obtained based on meeting minimum expectations.

Don't reward people who haven't earned it. Expect more of everyone on your team. Be consistent in how you reward those who meet expectations and go out of your way to reward those who exceed what is required.

You can be nice all you want, but if you aren't fair, it doesn't demonstrate or earn respect.