Principle of equality

Equals should be treated equal and unequals unequally, in the proportion to the relevant inequalities; the concept is known as formal principle of equality and was given by Aristotle. Though the application of the principle was more towards health industry but I think that it can be applied to other industries as well.

I came across this principle when I was exploring the ethics is fairness, fairness in corporate world; fairness in terms of providing equal opportunity to the employees, fairness in terms of opportunities to grow and excel.

Fairness in terms of “Equal Opportunity Employer” is a part of mission & vision statement of many companies but many companies miss on this fairness principle.

Fairness is part of company’s culture and has a top to bottom approach. If the leaders are averse to this practice then the company they are leading can’t be an equal opportunity employer. Decision, responsibilities, transparency in decisions and rest all things, virtually everything in the company is governed by favoritism, cronyism, and nepotism.

Favoritism, cronyism, and nepotism all interfere with company’s goals and objectives and have a negative impact in longer run; undermining the common good. Any biasness gives undue advantage to someone who does not necessarily merit the treatment or a position and in such cases when the position is not granted based on the credentials and experience, the service that person renders may be inferior.

Biasness also cause difference of opinions in the team, disengagement and weakens morale of the employee. Leaders should understand that any sort of biasness is not fair and they should not allow it to happen as I mentioned earlier that it is top bottom approach and leaders need to take the first step towards it.