In multi-unit management, treating everyone equally and fairly is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic advantage. Fair treatment fosters trust, enhances employee engagement, and drives organisational success.
Why fair treatment matters
Employees who perceive fairness in their workplace are more likely to be engaged and committed. A study published in PLOS ONE found that recognition significantly boosts employee engagement, while fairness and involvement also positively contribute, albeit to a lesser extent.
Fair treatment is also linked to higher productivity. Research indicates that employees who feel recognised and valued are more motivated, leading to improved performance. A study by the Chartered Management Institute found that encouraging employee participation in decision-making can significantly boost engagement levels.
Organisations with recognition programmes see a 14% increase in employee engagement, productivity, and performance. While 69% of employees say recognition and rewards would keep them in their current job, highlighting the importance of fair treatment in retention strategies.
Implementing fair treatment practices
To cultivate fairness, multi-unit managers should:
- Ensure consistency: apply policies and procedures uniformly across all units – even when it’s inconvenient! If one site gets away with skipping daily briefs but another is held to the standard, your managers will notice. Set clear expectations and apply them uniformly, even if one site is your top performer.
- Encourage open communication: foster an environment where employees feel valued. It’s important to create space for voices to be heard. Do your managers feel safe to speak up? Do your GMs have structured one-to-ones with their teams? Fairness means more than, “I treat everyone the same”, it means “I listen with equal weight and respond with equal care”.
- Recognise individual contributions: acknowledge and reward efforts to motivate and retain talent. It doesn’t have to be grand. A simple WhatsApp message after a tough weekend can go a long way. Fair treatment includes noticing effort, not just results, and celebrating wins across all locations, not just the favourites.
By prioritising fairness, multi-unit managers can enhance employee morale, boost engagement, and drive organisational success.
