You probably already know the feeling — the same coworker always gets the good shifts, the first pick for time off or the promotion you’ve been working toward for years. Maybe it’s a family connection. Maybe they’re younger. Maybe they just laugh at your manager’s jokes. It doesn’t feel fair, and you’re left wondering: is it just favoritism, or is it something the law actually protects you against?
What does favoritism at work actually mean?
Favoritism happens when someone in power — usually a manager or supervisor — treats one worker better than others based on personal preference, not job performance. It could mean they assign easier tasks, ignore mistakes or give perks like extra hours or special treatment. And while that kind of behavior might feel frustrating or demoralizing, the truth is that favoritism alone is not against the law.
When does favoritism become workplace discrimination?
In Hawaii, favoritism becomes a legal issue when it crosses over into discrimination — that is when someone gets treated differently based on protected traits like race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. Under Hawaii law, that kind of differential treatment isn’t just unfair — it is unlawful.
So, if your manager always gives the highest-paying tables to younger workers, refuses to promote women or schedules local employees differently than mainland hires, that’s more than favoritism. That’s discrimination, and it’s something Hawaii law takes seriously. Even if your employer never uses slurs or puts anything in writing, the pattern of unequal treatment is what matters most.
What can you do if you suspect illegal favoritism?
Start by writing things down — dates, incidents, comments and patterns. Keep track of who was involved, who benefited and how decisions were made. If HR exists at your workplace, use that channel to document your concern formally, but don’t assume that filing a complaint will stop the behavior or protect you on its own.
In Hawaii, you also have the option to file a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC), especially if internal efforts lead nowhere. But whatever you do, try not to quit right away. Stepping away before you build a clear record could weaken your ability to show that your rights were violated in the first place.
Why this isn’t just about fairness
If you are feeling stuck in a job where being favored matters more than being qualified, you are not alone — and you are not imagining it. Favoritism might start as a management issue, but if it’s tied to things you can’t change about yourself, it quickly turns into a legal one. Hawaii law gives you the right to work in a place where effort, skill and fairness drive decisions — not bias, favoritism or silence. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth trusting that instinct and asking what you can do next.