Organisational Justice

Baldwin S | HR Network Paper MP73 | Institute for Employment Studies | Sep 2006

The term 'organisational justice' refers to the extent to which employees perceive workplace procedures, interactions and outcomes to be fair in nature.

These perceptions can influence attitudes and behaviour for good or ill, in turn having a positive or negative impact on employee performance and the organisation's success.

The principles of organisational justice are not, on the whole, complex to apply and may be considered more in the vein of 'sound managerial practice' than 'social technology'.

While some interventions may be less successful on some occasions or in particular contexts, none is likely to be harmful, and at the very least they will promote a sense that the organisation is concerned about fairness. When implemented well, they can make a significant contribution to improving performance, enhancing commitment, and preserving dignity and humaneness.