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Britons incensed by everyday unfairness - millions of Britons treated unfairly

The ‘Everyday Fairness Barometer’** from leading building society, Britannia, shows that two in five (40%) of us describe the nation as unfair. Britons were asked what their top unfairness gripes are in the world of work, travel, sport, shopping and at home.

At home the top gripe (37%) is about the flatmate or family member who finishes the last roll of loo paper without replacing it! The second most commonly criticised act of unfairness (21%) is people not washing up their dirty dishes once they have finished.

Work is seen as the worst hotbed of unfairness with over a quarter (27%) claiming that the workplace is the worst environment for unfair acts. Taking the credit for someone else’s work (62%) and skiving off (24%) top the list of co-workers’ most infuriating behaviour.

When out shopping, queue jumping is seen as the most unfair act (55%) followed by parking in disabled or family spaces when not entitled (32%).

However, almost everyone seems to think that it is others that are unfair. Only 4% admit to acting unfairly themselves.

Britannia’s ‘Everyday Fairness Barometer’ also reveals that:

• Not giving up a seat to someone who needs it more when on public transport is the most unfair act when it comes to travelling according to 51%
• Diving or feigning injury is the most unfair sporting act according to 50%
• The people most likely to act fairly are spouses and partners (44%)

Tim Franklin, Managing Director of Member Business at Britannia, said: “Treating others fairly costs nothing and makes people happy, yet the attitude and behaviour of too many Brits appears to be very unfair.

“We are calling on the nation to help build a fairer society thinking about the effect their everyday acts have on the people around them. People should also look at the products and services they get from the banks, shops and organisations they use regularly and question whether they get a fair deal.”

Dr Max Farrar, a sociologist from Leeds Metropolitan University, added: “We seem to have lost the battle for treating people fairly across many areas of everyday life whether it’s in shops, at work or on buses. Today, the individual is boss and we do whatever we like ‘because we are worth it’ – our responsibilities to the wider group so often fall by the wayside. ‘Being fair’ is a slogan which needs to catch on.”

When asked how the nation would define ‘being fair’ to others in everyday life, more than two in five (42%) felt that ‘treating others justly and equitably’ was the most fitting description. A further third (32%) thought that being fair meant being courteous and considerate to others.

For the main findings of the Everyday Fairness Barometer which covers home, travel, shopping, sport and work life visit: www.fairness.britannia.co.uk

*Calculation: No. of UK adults (45,435,500) x 40% of people who rate the nation as being unfair most of the time.

**Britannia Building Society commissioned YouGov to speak to 2,141 British adults aged 18 years old + in August 2007.

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