Are you staying in your job because it aligns with your values and gives you a sense of meaning, or are you just sticking around because it’s convenient? This question might make you squirm a little, but it’s one that many of us have to face at some point. If your job feels like a series of tasks on autopilot, you may want to dig deeper into what’s creating this friction. One culprit that’s often overlooked? Organizational justice—or, as it’s commonly experienced, the lack of it.
Organizational justice goes beyond the obvious signs of dissatisfaction like a lousy boss or boring work. It speaks to something deeper: fairness. How we perceive fairness in our workplace can create harmony or, when it’s missing, conflict. And the real absurdity? It’s not always easy to spot, but once you do, it’s hard to unsee.
What is Organizational Justice, Anyway?
In its simplest terms, organizational justice refers to how fair we perceive things to be in our workplace. This isn’t just about fairness in pay or promotions, but also in how decisions are made and how we’re treated in the process. The absence of organizational justice is often what makes us feel like something’s off at work but we can’t quite put our finger on it. Let’s break it down into its three key types:
- Distributive Justice: This is the “who gets what” of the workplace. Are salaries fair? Is recognition given where it’s due? When someone’s pulling all the weight but someone else is getting all the rewards, we start to feel like the system is, well, rigged.
- Procedural Justice: This one focuses on the how. Are decisions being made fairly? Do you understand the reasoning behind promotions, raises, or even layoffs? Or is everything decided behind closed doors with no explanation? The feeling that the system lacks transparency is a surefire way to breed conflict in any job.
- Interactional Justice: This one hits close to home. It’s about how we’re treated by those in charge. Are we respected and informed, or are we just given orders with zero consideration for our feelings or circumstances?
The Hidden Burnout: When Unfairness Becomes Absurdity
Lack of fairness in any of these areas doesn’t just create dissatisfaction—it can lead to full-blown burnout. You might be mentally checking out, even if you’re physically present, because the absurdity of it all has worn you down. You work hard, play by the rules, and yet… nothing seems to change. That’s the absurdity we’re talking about here: the workplace can often feel like a game where the rules aren’t clear, and even if they were, you’re not entirely sure anyone’s actually following them.
Burnout from this kind of unfairness doesn’t always show up as exhaustion or overwhelm—it can show up as cynicism, disengagement, or simply doing the bare minimum. When we’re stuck in an environment where justice is a joke, we can’t help but feel like our efforts are in vain.
A Call to Self-Discovery: Does Your Job Align with Your Values?
So, why stay? Why keep running on a treadmill when you’re not even sure where it’s taking you? This is where self-discovery comes in. When we think about whether our jobs align with our values, we often overlook how fairness plays a role in that alignment. If we value integrity, respect, and transparency, but our workplace offers none of these, we start to experience inner conflict. This misalignment between our values and the organizational culture can make us feel like we’re living someone else’s life—or worse, like we’re losing ourselves in the process.
If you find yourself dreading work, feeling disrespected, or simply questioning your purpose, it might be time to reflect on whether organizational justice is at play. Ask yourself:
- Are you fairly compensated for the work you do, and are promotions and rewards given to those who truly earn them?
- Are you aware of how decisions are made in your company, or does it feel like things just “happen” with no rhyme or reason?
- Are you treated with respect and transparency, or do you feel like you’re just another number in a faceless system?
These questions aren’t just about figuring out if your job is convenient. They’re about figuring out whether your job aligns with your values and if it’s capable of offering you the sense of meaning that leads to long-term satisfaction.
How to Navigate the Absurdity of Workplace Fairness
Now that you’re thinking about it, how do you begin to make sense of this absurd system? Here’s the good news: recognizing unfairness is the first step toward changing your circumstances—or, at the very least, your perspective on them. Here are a few ways you can start navigating workplace fairness and finding meaning, even in the most absurd environments:
- Ask for Transparency: If decisions around pay, promotions, or tasks seem unclear, ask for clarity. It’s easier to feel aligned when you understand the reasons behind the actions.
- Take Control Where You Can: Focus on areas where you have influence. It might be a small step, like getting feedback or working on projects that align more with your values.
- Evaluate Your Role: Is this workplace giving you what you need? If not, why stay? Sometimes, just reflecting on your own needs and values can give you a clearer sense of whether it’s time to move on.
- Set Boundaries: If you’re feeling overworked or underappreciated, learn to say no. Protect your energy by setting limits on how much you’re willing to put up with.
- Seek Alignment: Ultimately, the key to a fulfilling job is alignment between your personal values and what the organization offers. If fairness is non-negotiable for you, then the organizational culture has to reflect that—otherwise, the misalignment will continue to create friction.