the.com/favoritism
Fairness with a wink at someone, and a cold shoulder for everyone else.
means Giving unfair preferential treatment to a favored person or group regardless of merit.
from From Italian favorito, the prince's pet at court, via Latin favor, meaning goodwill or partiality—the official cousin of nepotism.
Workplace costErodes morale faster than low pay.
Cousin familyNepotism, cronyism, and the teacher's pet.
Brain biasHumans favor familiar faces unconsciously.