Abstract: This study examines fairness or unfairness of promotion in the workplace by considering section 186 (2) (a) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA) which establishes that any unfair act or omission relating to amongst others promotion may result in unfair labour practice by the employer towards the employee. The two fundamental principles of fairness namely; substantive fairness and procedural fairness are examined in detail to determine the consequences and extent of failure to consider or apply them in the promotion of employees when the need arises. The study discusses the controversial cadre deployment policy of the African National Congress (ANC) and its impact on the promotion of deployees to administrative and managerial positions in the public service.