Most people need to work and various studies have shown people are more productive with lower staff turnover rates when they are content at work. However, while many employers may strive to provide the best possible working environment, some are not so considerate.
In some cases, this means that all employees are subject to miserable working conditions. In others, specific employees are treated differently.
It’s important to note that being treated differently is unfair to you and other employees. You need to tackle the issue head-on and if it results in you being fired speak to a reputable unfair dismissal lawyer. In fact, you can speak to them before you are fired to help get the best possible advice and solution to the issue.
Naturally, it helps to understand what classifies as unfair treatment of an employee at work.
Being Treated Differently
All employees have the right to be treated equally. Therefore, if one employee is constantly asked to do an undesirable job and no one else is ever asked to do it, the treatment may be classified as unfair. Of course, this assumes that the undesirable job isn’t part of your job description. The unfair part applies if you have the same role and job description as everyone else but always end up with the worst jobs.
This is just one example of being treated differently from everyone else but it is the fundamental principle behind unfair treatment.
Coerced Into Doing Something
Being coerced into doing something is also unfair. In many cases, bosses hold power over employees as they fear they will lose their jobs if they don’t do what is asked of them. This counts as coercion and, regardless of whether the employee undertook the activity or not, it is an unfair act. An employee can take the matter further via an appropriate lawyer.
Being Misrepresented
If an employer ascertains that something is true or will happen even when it is not the case, and this influences the behaviour of an employee, then they are automatically being unfair to the employee.
After all, they are effectively getting the employee to do something that they may not otherwise have chosen to do.
Protected Rights
It is important for every employee to understand they have protected rights. These are laws decided by the state that are designed to protect employees from unfair behaviour and discrimination. It ensures that every employee has the right to make a complaint or an enquiry about an employer, such as asking about pay rates, without being penalised for asking.
The protected rights ensure that no employee undertaking their job or lodging reasonable queries can be adversely affected by their actions. That includes firing an employee, changing their role to something lesser, or being unfair/discriminating against by the employer.
The aim is to provide job security and an infrastructure that should facilitate a good working relationship between employers and employees.
If you do feel unfairly treated it is advisable to bring it to the attention of the management in the business. If this doesn’t resolve the issue then you’ll want to speak to a specialist and lodge a formal complaint.
