There are three primary types of fairness: procedural, interactional, and distributive justice.
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Procedural fairness focuses on the processes used to make decisions. It involves ensuring that the rules are clear, applied consistently, and that everyone has a fair chance to be heard. For example, a fair hiring process should have clear criteria for evaluating candidates, be applied equally to all applicants, and provide opportunities for feedback.
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Interactional fairness centers on the interpersonal treatment people receive during a process. It involves being treated with respect, dignity, and honesty. For example, a customer service representative should be polite and helpful even if a customer is upset, and a manager should provide constructive feedback in a respectful manner.
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Distributive justice concerns the fairness of the outcomes or results of a decision. It involves ensuring that resources, benefits, and burdens are distributed fairly and equitably. For example, a fair salary system should be based on performance and experience, not on personal characteristics like gender or ethnicity.
Understanding these different types of fairness can help us create more just and equitable systems in all aspects of life.
