1. Max is a victim of “workplace bullying, a form of harassment that results in employees experiencing mental distress, physical illness, loss of productivity, and a higher propensity to quit to avoid being in a toxic workplace” (Gomez-Melia et al., 2011, p. 490). Max’s peers were constantly talking and spreading rumors about him. His peer, Nicole Ianucci told other peers that he was probably having a mental breakdown because she saw him getting a prescription at the CVS (Roche, 2003). This persistent pattern of “targeting an employee to rumors or gossip with intentions to harm” (Gomez-Melia et al., 2011, p. 491) is an example of bullying behaviors.
2. With “layoff talk” around the office, management should be concerned about workplace violence. The company, MMI had been in business well over 30 years yet, recently, financial targets were missed causing rounds of layoffs (Roche, 2003). The recent round of layoffs resulted in a low morale of the team (Roche, 2003). Additionally, the last reduction of force allowed for impacted employees to take early retirement yet left extra work and long hours to those employees who retained a position (Roche, 2003). With increased job pressures and feared layoffs, stress levels of employees are on the rise. Additionally, with triggering events such as a “negative performance appraisals; personality conflicts with coworkers or managers; or personal problems, such as divorce” (Gomez-Melia et al., 2011, p. 553), a potential violent person could emerge. Managers must ensure that employees are being treated fairly (Gomez-Melia et al., 2011). Additionally, any performance issues should be addressed with a focus on improvement and future success (Gomez-Melia et al., 2011). Lastly, a manager must ensure that all discipline is in private and not in front of other employees (Gomez-Melia et al., 2011).
3. Lynne needs to create