Although claims of favoritism may be the favorite excuse of some weaker employees, the fact remains that some employees who claim favoritism are solid individuals who have been unfairly overlooked. Thus, when you hear an employee declaring favoritism, the best step is to check it out, which is exactly what you did.
Claims of favoritism are often the result of a lack of understanding of what it takes to be promoted in a given company. Some employees have distorted ideas about the criteria that are used in the promotion process, and this can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the selection of one individual over another.
In addition to any specific criteria in your company, your disgruntled employee should understand that one key factor that plays a key role in determining promotions is education. This does not mean attending a seminar or two, but rather by showing real initiative and commitment in the area of personal growth and development.
And further, by combining ongoing education with excellent work, steadily increasing responsibilities, and formal or informal leadership roles, an employee can make himself or herself far more promotable. As for the issue of favoritism, employees who take these kinds of actions tend to be the ones who are favored in the promotion process.
| 
