The Golden Rule is an ethical principle that can be found in many major world religions and philosophies. It states, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” While this is a helpful guide for people to abide by in their personal lives, the same doesn’t always apply in the workplace. In fact, at times, the Golden Rule can lead to issues such as unfair treatment, conflict, and resentment between colleagues. In this article, we will discuss why the Golden Rule does not always work in a business environment and explore how to create a better-working environment.
The Golden Rule Could Lead to Unfair Treatment
Many of us have been raised to treat others the way we ourselves would want to be treated and to take into consideration the feelings of others. However, when applied in the workplace, the Golden Rule creates a situation where everyone is held to the same standard. This could potentially be unfair to employees of different levels of seniority or experience.
For instance, if an employer treats all employees exactly the same, those who are more experienced and knowledgeable in the area will receive the same treatment as those who are new and inexperienced. This can lead to a situation where the newest people on the job feel like they are being taken advantage of.
The Golden Rule Can Lead to Conflict and Resentment between Colleagues
When the Golden Rule is applied to a business setting, it can also cause conflict and resentment between colleagues. This is because employees often have different opinions about what is fair and what isn’t. For example, one employee may think it is fair to take the afternoon off to take care of personal matters. Another employee, however, may think it is unfair if the same isn’t offered to everybody. This can lead to acrimony between the two individuals.
The Golden Rule Can Also Lead to a Toxic Work Environment
When the Golden Rule is applied in the workplace, it can lead to a toxic work environment because no one is willing to admit that they were wrong. Everyone is following the same rules, so nobody has to take responsibility for any of their actions. This can lead to a lack of accountability, which in turn can lead to apathy and a lack of productivity.
Finding a Balance between Empathy and Efficiency
It is important to find a balance between empathy and efficiency in the workplace. It is true that treating everyone the same can be ineffective, but it is also true that showing no empathy at all can create an unpleasant working environment.
Finding this balance can be difficult, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure the best outcome:
Set clear expectations. Make sure everyone is aware of the rules and guidelines of the workplace in order to prevent any misunderstandings.
Create a reward system. Rewards can help motivate employees to achieve more.
Value everyone’s contribution. Respect the effort each employee puts into their job and offer recognition and appreciation as needed.
Don’t be too strict. Give employees flexibility in completing their tasks in order to allow for creativity and innovative thinking.
The Golden Rule may be helpful in our personal lives, but it does not always work in a business setting. It can lead to unfair treatment, conflict, and a toxic working environment. To create a better workplace, employers must ensure that there is a balance between empathy and efficiency. Setting clear expectations, creating a reward system, valuing everyone’s contribution, and offering flexibility can all help create a better and more productive work environment.
