How do you deal with unfair HR?

Asked by: Dr. Tanner Satterfield PhD  |  Last update: April 5, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (44 votes)

When HR disregards your complaints, be sure to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may investigate your employer and seek evidence, and may even recommend mediation so a resolution can be reached with the assistance of an objective third party.

How to talk to HR about unfair treatment?

It's always best to have a verbal conversation about a lousy manager when you talk to HR. Sitting down face-to-face will ensure they understand the importance of the issue and how it's affecting your work. If you work remotely and your HR team is far away, schedule a video or audio call to discuss the matter.

What to do if you feel like you're being treated unfairly at work?

If you're being treated unfairly at work, write down what's happening with dates and details. Talk to the person involved if you feel safe or report it to HR or a manager you trust. Get support from friends, coworkers or mentors. If nothing changes, you can file a complaint or talk to a lawyer.

How to handle unfairness at work?

Knowing how to handle unfair treatment starts with identifying discrimination and understanding the right way to begin addressing it. Document every incidence of unfair treatment, including emails, notes of conversations, or descriptions of specific incidents. Then, take your proof to the company HR department.

How to deal with unprofessional HR?

What if HR is the problem?
  1. Inform yourself. The best thing to do before taking any actions or making decisions is to ensure you have all of the necessary information. ...
  2. Gather evidence. ...
  3. Make a formal complaint. ...
  4. Speak to the head of HR. ...
  5. Consult your manager. ...
  6. Reach out to others in the organisation. ...
  7. Consider outside options.

Is It Worth Fighting Unfair Treatment At Work?

27 related questions found

What not to say to HR?

What should you not say to HR?
  • The general rule is don't bring your everyday complaints to HR. They're not there to make your job better or easier and they might fire you simply because they don't want to hear it. ...
  • Discrimination. ...
  • Medical needs. ...
  • Pay issues. ...
  • Cooperate with HR if asked, but be smart about it.

Can you file a complaint against HR?

Just as you can make a report against your CEO to HR and HR has an obligation to follow up on it, whoever supervises HR has an obligation to respond to complaints against HR. If you do not feel comfortable going to the CEO, you may be able to make a report to another supervisor.

How to prove you are being treated unfairly at work?

However, certain pieces of evidence can help you build your case, including employee records, witness statements, email notifications, pay stubs, or hiring policies. If you were wrongly treated at work due to protected categories, like age or race, it may be worth it to talk with an employment lawyer.

How to tolerate unfairness?

  1. Try to become aware of what your brain is doing. When you feel something is unfair or disrespectful of your rights, catch yourself reacting in anger or frustration. ...
  2. Determine if your loss is real or not. ...
  3. Sometimes it is better to choose to be healthy instead of right.

How to professionally say this is unfair?

Synonyms and examples
  1. unjust. They protested unjust laws.
  2. biased. The newspaper gave a very biased report of the meeting.
  3. slanted. disapproving. ...
  4. discriminatory. The company has a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory practices.
  5. prejudiced. ...
  6. inequitable.

What to do if you are being singled out at work?

If you believe you are being harassed at work, you should report the conduct to your supervisor or another manager, even if it happens only once or does not seem very serious.

What words scare human resources?

Words like "harassment," "discrimination," and "lawsuit" are heavily loaded with legal implications, which can put HR on high alert. By using descriptive, neutral language, you can convey your concerns without triggering a defensive reaction.

What are two examples of unfair treatment in the workplace?

Examples of unfair labor practices in the workplace include denying benefits or promotions to specific employees, discriminating against older workers, unequal pay, and many others. Discrimination is not only morally wrong; it is also illegal. You do not have to accept unfair labor practices at your job.

How do I defend myself against an HR complaint?

Defending Yourself Against False Accusations at Work
  1. Remain Calm and Be Professional.
  2. Talk to a Lawyer.
  3. Contact HR.
  4. Get the Details of the Complaint.
  5. Gather Evidence.
  6. Find Witnesses and Present Evidence.
  7. Be Honest and Cooperate with Any Investigations.
  8. Avoid Your Accuser.

How to say toxic work environment professionally?

Examples Of How To Respond
  1. “While I enjoyed my time there, the company culture wasn't aligned with my values. ...
  2. “The work environment at my previous job didn't support career development. ...
  3. “The challenges I faced in my last role highlighted my need for increased autonomy and decision-making authority.

Can HR tell your boss what you say?

Although HR professionals—unlike medical professionals, religious functionaries or attorneys—are not subject to any overarching legally mandated duty of confidentiality, they are required by laws regulating the workplace to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of some types of employee information.

How to respond when you're treated unfairly?

What Actions Can You Take?
  1. Document The Unfair Treatment. ...
  2. Report The Unfair Treatment. ...
  3. Stay Away From Social Media. ...
  4. Take Care Of Yourself. ...
  5. Contact An Experienced Lawyer.

What is it called when your manager treats you unfairly?

Discrimination at work

Discrimination happens when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfairly because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. EEOC laws do not cover all employers. Coverage is often based on the number of employees.

What are examples of unfair things?

11 Examples Of Unfair Situations In Life That You Should Accept
  • Born into Poverty.
  • The Lottery of Genetics: Beauty, Health, and Intelligence.
  • Nepotism and Favoritism.
  • Prejudice and Discrimination.
  • Glass Ceiling in Careers.
  • The Imbalance of Love: Unrequited Feelings and Friendzones.

What to do when HR is discriminating against you?

File a complaint with your Human Resource department and/or report your employer to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ask the EEOC to conduct a formal workplace discrimination investigation. Continually rebut all unfair job actions taken against you, and get it on record.

Can HR tell you not to talk about something?

The NLRB found that this request violated employees' rights to discuss the terms and conditions of employment with each other. Prohibiting employee discussions of an ongoing investigation is allowed only if the employer can show that it has a legitimate business justification outweighing the employees' rights.

How to express unfairness at work?

Report instances of unfair treatment to the Human Resources Department (or another authority figure in management). The formal letter of complaint should describe the event completely, but concisely. Stay on target and include only information relevant to the event.

How to win against HR?

8 Ways to Solve HR Arguments without Conflict
  1. Be Aware of Your Tone. ...
  2. Avert from Filler Words and Hesitant Phrases. ...
  3. Do Your Research. ...
  4. Know Your Non-Negotiables Compromise. ...
  5. Stay Away From "You" Statements. ...
  6. Be Aware of Your Body language. ...
  7. Know When to Take a Break. ...
  8. Never Get Personal.

Who is above HR in a company?

What Is Above HR in a Company? In a larger organization, HR managers and administrators may report to the HR Director, Vice President of Human Resources, or Chief Human Resources Officer. These senior HR executives support a company's growth through its personnel and oversee HR department functions.

Can HR fire you for complaining?

You may not be fired for making a complaint (whether to your own HR department or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) about harassment or discrimination in the workplace; for participating in an investigation of these issues; or for exercising your rights under these laws (by, for example, requesting a ...