Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free SPHR Practice Questions and Study Guide

The situation presented aligns with the concept of distributive justice, which refers to the perceived fairness in the distribution of rewards, such as salaries and increases, among individuals in an organization. Augustine's belief that his co-worker received a higher raise due to a supervisor's personal interest indicates a concern regarding how equitable or fair the rewards are being distributed. It highlights the idea that personal biases or favoritism may influence compensation decisions, undermining the principle of equitable treatment within the workplace.

Distributive justice is foundational in understanding employee perception of fairness, and it directly impacts morale, motivation, and trust within an organization. When employees perceive discrepancies in the distribution of rewards, especially based on personal interests rather than performance or merit, it can lead to dissatisfaction and feelings of injustice.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the essence of the situation. For instance, while discriminatory treatment could involve biases in compensation based on protected characteristics, it is not specifically indicated that Augustine's concern pertains to discrimination based on such categories. Similarly, sexual harassment pertains to unwelcome sexual advances or conduct in the workplace and is unrelated to concerns about salary distribution. Hence, distributive justice is the most appropriate concept to describe Augustine's perspective on the scenario.