Fair managers can reap big dividends. Extensive research finds that employees who feel fairly treated are better performers, helpful to colleagues, more committed to their workgroups and the organization, and less likely to steal or be rude to others.
Research: When Managers Are Overworked, They Treat Employees Less Fairly
![](/resources/images/article_assets/2018/06/jun18_4_878980416.jpg)
Most bosses recognize the importance of fairness and want to act fairly. So why then do some act unfairly, even when they recognize its corrosive effects? A new research paper suggests one explanation: many managers are simply too busy to be fair. Over 60 years of research finds that fairness is not one simple, singular choice but a complex and integrated set of decisions and actions. In other words, acting fairly requires time and effort. So when managers are expected to juggle multiple responsibilities under intense time and work pressures, treating employees fairly may take a backseat to other pressing priorities. Three studies of managers and business students find evidence for this hypothesis. They also suggest that organizations can nudge bosses to balance work tasks and fair treatment by rewarding and celebrating managers who act fairly.
![](/resources/css/images/hmm/HBR-learning-icon.png)
![](/resources/images/hmm/Course_Illustrations/Leading_People_Course/topic_landing_page_1400.png)
![](/resources/css/images/hmm/HBR-learning-icon.png)
![](/resources/images/hmm/Course_Illustrations/Leading_People_Course/topic_landing_page_1400.png)