Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction: The Rules of Engagement -- PART I: Uncomfortable Workplace Situations -- 1. Common Managerial and Supervisory Discussions -- Scenario 1: Mediating Disputes Among Subordinates -- Scenario 2: Appropriate Responses to Requests to Speak ''Off the Record'' -- Scenario 3: Promoting a Neophyte into a First-Time Supervisory Role -- Scenario 4: New Supervisor Syndrome -- Scenario 5: Inheriting an Employee with Disciplinary Problems -- Scenario 6: Stopping Attitude Problems in Their Tracks -- Scenario 7: Advice Before a Holiday Party or an Offsite Event -- 2. Individual Appearance and Uncomfortable Workplace Dilemmas -- Scenario 8: Bad Hair Days -- Scenario 9: Inappropriate Dress -- Scenario 10: Body Piercing and Body Art -- Scenario 11: Tattoos -- Scenario 12: Halitosis (Bad Breath) -- Scenario 13: Body Odor from Lack of Cleanliness -- Scenario 14: Body Odor from Suspected Medical Reason -- 3. Cultural and Religious Differences -- Scenario 15: Inappropriate Display of Religious Icons -- Scenario 16: Supervisor Proselytizes to Subordinates -- Scenario 17: Offensive Food Preparation and Spicy Smells -- Scenario 18: Euphemisms like ''Honey,'' ''Sweetie,'' and ''Doll'' -- Scenario 19: Speaking Foreign Languages in the Workplace -- Scenario 20: Inappropriate Display of Sexually Explicit Material -- Scenario 21: Lack of Understanding of Multicultural Differences -- PART II: Poor Work Habits and Job Performance Concerns -- 4. Performance Transgressions -- Scenario 22: Lack of Quality, Detail, or Efficiency -- Scenario 23: Lack of Quantity or Speed -- Scenario 24: Substandard Customer Satisfaction -- Scenario 25: Lack of Sales Production -- Scenario 26: Failure to Learn New Material During Training -- Scenario 27: Acts Resulting in a Loss to the Employer.

Scenario 28: Failure to Follow Through, or ''Dropping the Ball'' -- 5. Policy and Procedure Violations -- Scenario 29: Failure to Adhere to Safety Rules -- Scenario 30: Excessive Personal Telephone Calls -- Scenario 31: Excessive Time Spent on the Internet -- Scenario 32: Unauthorized Use of Company Equipment and Facilities -- Scenario 33: Working Unauthorized Overtime -- Scenario 34: Off-Duty Conduct and Moonlighting -- 6. Excessive Absenteeism and Tardiness -- Scenario 35: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: ''No Fault'' System -- Scenario 36: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: ''Excuse-Based'' System -- Scenario 37: Patterning Excessive, Unscheduled Absence Around Weekends -- Scenario 38: Rolling Calendar Year Maneuvers -- Scenario 39: Excessive Tardiness -- Scenario 40: Exempt Employees Who Choose to Come and Go as They Please -- 7. Lack of Requisite Skills -- Scenario 41: Inferior Job Knowledge -- Scenario 42: Lack of Technical Skills -- Scenario 43: Inadequate Problem-Solving Skills -- Scenario 44: Substandard Written Expression -- Scenario 45: Poor Time Management -- Scenario 46: Lack of Organization and Neatness -- PART III: Inappropriate Workplace Behavior and Conduct -- 8. Sexually Offensive Behavior -- Scenario 47: Foul Language in the Workplace -- Scenario 48: E-Mail Misuse -- Scenario 49: Finding Pornography on an Employee's Computer -- Scenario 50: Bullying -- Scenario 51: Discriminatory Comments or Racial Epithets -- Scenario 52: Leering -- Scenario 53: Sexual Harassment Findings (Reverse Harassment) -- 9. Substandard Communication Skills -- Scenario 54: Tattletales, Gossipmongers, and Snitches -- Scenario 55: Whiners and Complainers -- Scenario 56: Requests for Confidential Conversations from Other Supervisors' Subordinates -- Scenario 57: Poor Listening Skills -- Scenario 58: Failure to Communicate Upward.

Scenario 59: Establishing Effective Staff Meetings -- 10. Personal Style Issues -- Scenario 60: Suspected Alcoholism or Substance Abuse -- Scenario 61: Inability to Accept Constructive Criticism -- Scenario 62: Lack of Sensitivity and Protocol (E-Mail Censuring) -- Scenario 63: Badgering and Challenging One's Supervisor -- Scenario 64: Lack of Teamwork and Relationship-Building Skills -- Scenario 65: Laziness and Lack of Commitment -- Scenario 66: Blamers and Excuse Makers -- Scenario 67: Coworker Jealousy and Employees Who Can't Let Go of Their Anger -- Scenario 68: Supremacists-Arrogance and Superior Attitudes -- 11. Leadership Style Challenges and Career Management Obstacles -- Scenario 69: Stalled Career Syndrome -- Scenario 70: Unwillingness to Confront Problems Head-On -- Scenario 71: Staff Motivation Conversations -- Scenario 72: Protecting Your Company from Legal Liability (Documentation) -- Scenario 73: Inability to Provide Constructive Criticism -- Scenario 74: Handling Group Complaints Wisely -- Scenario 75: Lack of Diversity Awareness -- Scenario 76: Lack of Leadership -- PART IV: Corporate Actions -- 12. Corporate (Intentional) Actions -- Scenario 77: Probationary Termination -- Scenario 78: Administering Disciplinary Warnings -- Scenario 79: Administering Decision-Making Leaves -- Scenario 80: Termination for Cause (in Conjunction with Progressive Discipline) -- Scenario 81: Convincing an Employee to Leave Voluntarily When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File -- Scenario 82: Negotiating a Separation Package When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File -- 13. Corporate (''No Fault'') Actions -- Scenario 83: Layoff: Position Elimination-LIFO -- Scenario 84: Layoff: Position Elimination-Lack of Qualifications -- Scenario 85: Layoff: Position Elimination-Union Bumping Privileges.

Scenario 86: Layoff: Position Elimination-Department Closure -- Scenario 87: Layoff: Position Elimination-Plant Closure (WARN Act) -- Scenario 88: Follow-Up Discussions with Survivors After Layoffs Occur -- 14. Summary Offenses (Immediate Discharge) -- Scenario 89: Employee Theft -- Scenario 90: Selling Proprietary Products on the Internet -- Scenario 91: Time Card Fraud -- Scenario 92: Threats of Violence in the Workplace -- Scenario 93: Sexual Harassment -- Scenario 94: Falsification of Company Records -- Scenario 95: Insubordination -- 15. Special Circumstances -- Scenario 96: Welcoming Back Employees Returning from a Stress Leave of Absence -- Scenario 97: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Isolation -- Scenario 98: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Suicidal Concerns -- Scenario 99: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Homicidal Concerns -- Scenario 100: Terminating Employees Who Are on Investigatory Leave -- Scenario 101: Verbally Accepting an Employee's Resignation -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W.