1. Imagine that you are the supervisor of a 12-person copy-cataloging department in a very large public library. Sidney Brown, one of your employees, has just had his position reclassified, resulting in more pay. Because Sidney has long been working at a higher level than his present job classification, you are delighted that this reclassification, which you have been trying to achieve for months, has finally been approved. However, when word of the reclassification becomes public, you are surprised to learn that several of Sidney’s coworkers are very unhappy. Several complain to you that they have the same level of responsibility in their work that Sidney does, but have not been promoted. They think you have treated them unfairly by pushing to have Sidney’s position reclassified.

What would you do in a case like this? Is there any way for a manager to achieve “perfect” equity in rewarding employees?