Situation · Work
“My manager plays favourites”
What could be going on
In-group bias: Fits if the favourites share background, interests or history with the manager.
Liking: People say yes to those they like; check whether favourites flatter or socialise with them.
Halo effect: Fits if one early success made the favourite look good at everything.
Organisational justice: Check whether outcomes and process are actually unequal, or it is the warmth you notice.
Demands loyalty: Fits if favour goes to those who never question them.
Family roles (golden child, scapegoat, lost child, mascot): Check whether it reminds you of a sibling who was favoured; the hurt may be older.
Questions to carry
- Thinking of the favourites, what do they do or give that my manager seems to reward?
- Seeing the favour go their way, what do I feel, and what do I tell myself it means?
Also said as
- my boss has a favourite and it's not me
- she treats one person like gold and ignores the rest
- why does my manager favour him
- favouritism at work
- boss has a pet on the team
- my manager treats some people better than others