How to deal with unfairness at workplace?

The life is not fair - I don't exactly know who said this first. Some people claim that it was Bill Gates but I think it would have been spoken long long back. The biological response to unfairness in any mind is fear or anger. The idiom is just a reflection of that. Sometimes we try to change it, sometimes we don't even try and leave the way it is and call it an unfair dealing. The stories of a don coming out of jail even after committing the dreaded crime does not touch you directly but you still feel victimized. A corrupt official even though has known means of income but is living a much luxurious life compared to an honest one - you feel cheated. The undeserving is getting the promotion or he/ she is making more money even without putting lot of hard work - a common thing in professional life. Thousands of stories about undeserving success is there. They could be because of skin color, sex, caste, class, religion and build on the same philosophy - "life is not fair". But not necessarily every story has in built biasness. The siblings who were bought in the world by same parents, end up being at extraordinarily different axis even when we know that the parents never differentiated.

It can emanate from luck, choices we make at certain time of life or could be due some inherent natural strength of individuals, which is not visible to external world.

Nevertheless, what does it means to all of us. How such situation or feelings should be handled. A lot of people become obsessive thinkers and hence drain their energy, magnifies emotions and remain entangled with the problem. Blaming is easy, fighting it out is difficult. Bitter thought is obvious but remaining motivated in undesired situation can only make the circle to turn around.

Although, I have not myself mastered a success story but a close observation on how different people handle it differently gives interesting aspect of handling such situations.

Grumbling about things doesn't make things just, the reactive mode indeed doesn't help at all. Instead of getting outraged, the experienced people first control their emotional response and think rationally. Also, they have a clear thinking on what is controllable and what is not. The "act" part should be in the end. First part is to heal oneself before trying to do therapies. We should first use the logical brain to rationalize the response. We may tell ourselves “I failed but he deserved it". We may realize that an unfair situation may not last forever and even it may not be so unfair in bigger spectrum. Sometimes, we may find that it is really unfair and unjustified. Still, the right behavior is to remain calm, careful and do proper planning and acting. 

The others behavior cannot be changed so easily, the mistreatment can not addressed by just knocking someone's door. God will not give rebirth if tragedy has already happened. Nevertheless, those who control the instinct, remain clear headed, patient and consistent are the ones who ultimately win over the unfairness.

At workplace, in particular people are treated unfairly. The law of fairness is most of the times untrue there. Usually, we find the undeserving are climbing up the ladder and getting accolades. However, running away doesn't solve the problem. A well calculated private meeting with supervisor, decision maker is most of the time beneficial. At times, even talking to an understanding colleagues can give the flip side of the things and these impartial advises helps. A good supervisor diffuses the problem most of the time and if he unable to solve then it can be taken to the right level. Still, if the organization is not understanding or able to deal with situation one needs to take a tough call on quitting as well. Polish your resume and start gathering references, possibly the green pastures are waiting outside for what you deserve actually. But this is the last resort. Identifying the real reason should be the first thing. At time, perhaps, what we think of ourselves may not be same as what others think of us. Being politically savvy and using right thread of network helps in resolving the organizational issues. 

As the career progresses, there are ample situations when one is actually unfairly treated or bracketed. Biologically everyone gets hysterical but a thought out action plan is best option. Don't absorb it but gather information and act appropriately. The worst thing is not to do anything. Don't accept that life is not fair. It could be unfair but cannot lead to inflicting injustice. Particularly, if it impact your career.

In summary, the best way to deal is

- Step back and understand the reason correctly. Talk to supervisor, or anyone whom you think is rational.

- Critically self-analyze. But don't forget to look at positive aspects and future goals.

- Build resilience, develop network, and push through various channels

- If nothing workout, sharpen your resume and look out.