The most important trait employees look for in a boss they want to work for is fairness. F. John Reh, About.com Guide, offers practical and smart ways that fairness can translate to good management.

• The golden rule - When you are fair, you treat others as you wish they would treat you.
• No favorites - A manager who is fair does not give anyone all the good jobs, or all the bad jobs, just because of how you feel about them.
• Don't take advantage - When you're being fair, you don't take advantage of others based on your position as the manager. 
• Follow the rules - When you follow the rules, and apply them equally to everyone, you are being fair. 
• Change the rules - If the existing rule makes something unfair, you have to change it. Just be sure that the reason you are changing it really is to increase fairness, not just to justify an outcome that might be better for a favorite.
• Think about how it affects others - As you assign work, for example, think about whether you are doing it fairly, but also consider how other will perceive it.
• Be honest with your employees -  Tell them why things are done as they are. Tell them why a specific procedure was put in place.