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Favoritism Fairness

We report to a school principal who plays favorites. She takes certain teachers to her summer house, plays golf with them, and gives them choice assignments, schedules, and students. How should we deal with her?



It can be a real problem when the principal of the school is not on top of the principles of management. One tenet of effective leadership is equitable treatment of everyone, and a second is to avoid excessive socializing with the employees.

By giving certain teachers all of the plums at work, your principal is undermining teamwork, loyalty, and motivation. This type of treatment can even transfer into the classroom and undermine the quality of teaching.

In many of today's flat organizations, there can be an increase in socializing between managers and their employees after work. However, such get-togethers should be on a professional and intermittent basis, and there should not even be a hint of favoritism.

This is a situation that you and your fellow teachers need to discuss with the principal. However, if you focus on summer houses and golf, you are going to sail right into an emotional trap. Your primary emphasis should be on issues that relate specifically to the job, such as more equitable ways to make assignments, schedules, and student placement. Try to let her see how your suggestions will personally help her, such as by their possible impact on the quality of teaching and ultimately on student test scores.

If she takes no steps to improve the situation, then you should take some steps to the regional office.



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