When unfairness gets under your skin

Feeling overwhelmed by issues of fairness?

Nurses and midwives often have a strong sense of fairness, responsibility and advocacy. These qualities can help us speak up for our patients, colleagues and ourselves. But when we are particularly sensitive to unfairness, situations at work or in our personal lives can sometimes feel difficult to let go of.

This is sometimes described as justice sensitivity.

💭 What is justice sensitivity?

Justice sensitivity describes how strongly we notice and respond to unfairness or injustice.

At its core, justice sensitivity is about how people perceive and react to fairness in their lives and in the world around them. It can influence our relationships, our responses to events, and even our mental health. People with high justice sensitivity often feel strongly about unfair treatment, not just towards themselves but also towards others. 

You might experience it when you feel you have been treated unfairly, when you witness a colleague or patient being treated poorly, or when you worry that your own actions may have disadvantaged someone else.

For nurses and midwives, this can be particularly challenging. We work in environments where we regularly advocate for others, make difficult decisions and navigate competing needs, workplace pressures and systems that don't always feel fair.

A strong sense of justice can be a valuable quality. However, when thoughts about unfairness become difficult to switch off, they can contribute to frustration, anger, anxiety, self-doubt or emotional exhaustion.

🔎 What might justice sensitivity look like?

You may find yourself:

• replaying an unfair interaction long after it has occurred
• feeling particularly distressed when a patient or colleague is treated unfairly
• feeling compelled to challenge situations that don't align with your values
• experiencing guilt or self-criticism when you think you may have contributed to an unfair outcome
• worrying about how others perceive you after you have spoken up
• finding it difficult to accept situations you cannot change.

🌿 What can help?

🧭 Pause and reflect
Notice when your reaction to unfairness is becoming overwhelming. Ask yourself: What am I feeling? What is within my control? What action, if any, would be helpful?

💬 Talk it through
Speaking with someone you trust can help you process what has happened and gain another perspective. This might be a colleague, friend, family member or health professional.

⚖️ Choose where to use your energy
Not every unfair situation can be resolved by you. Consider where speaking up or taking action may make a meaningful difference—and where stepping back may be better for your wellbeing.

🌱 Turn concern into constructive action
When appropriate, use established workplace processes, seek support, advocate respectfully or contribute to positive change. Having a strong sense of justice can be a powerful force when it is directed constructively.

🧘 Stay grounded
When emotions are running high, simple strategies such as slowing your breathing, taking a short walk, exercising or practising mindfulness can help settle your nervous system and create some distance from difficult thoughts.

🛑 Set boundaries
Caring about fairness doesn't mean you have to carry every injustice. Give yourself permission to step away from conversations, situations or information that are becoming emotionally overwhelming.

💙 Remember

You can care deeply about fairness without having to resolve every unfair situation.

When you are worried that others may think badly of you for speaking up or holding a different perspective, reconnect with your own values and consider whether your actions reflect the kind of nurse, midwife, colleague or person you want to be.

Justice sensitivity can be a strength. It can underpin compassion, advocacy and the courage to speak up for others. The challenge is learning to use that strength in ways that protect your own wellbeing too.

If concerns about fairness, workplace experiences or conflict are affecting your wellbeing, NMHPV is here to support you.