Final answer:
When an employee perceives unfair treatment under the equity theory and exerts less effort, they choose to change their inputs to restore balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within the framework of the equity theory, if an employee perceives inequitable treatment and decides to exert less effort, they have made the choice to change their inputs. Equity theory suggests that individuals seek to maintain balance between the inputs they bring to a job and the outcomes they receive from it, with a desire to make this ratio equivalent to those of their peers. When there's a perception of disparity, the employee might adjust their level of effort or contribution to restore the perceived balance between inputs and outputs. Actions such as reducing work quality or quantity are examples of changing one's input as a response to perceived inequity in the workplace.