Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT
This HRM case examines the concept of "Horseplay" in the workplace as clerical employees were playing "popcorn basketball." This case is based upon an actual event that occurred in a business unit of a Fortune 500 company. The case study can be used for any undergraduate or graduate level human resource management class.
Keywords: Horseplay; Discipline for Horseplay
INTRODUCTION
One afternoon, two clerical employees, who were members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), observed a management employee sleeping in his chair with his mouth wide opened. The employees decided to play "popcorn basketball" by throwing pieces of popcorn at the wide opened mouth of the management employee. In essence, they were using the management employee's mouth as a basketball rim. After a few attempts, one bargaining unit employee was successful and landed a couple pieces of popcorn directly into the mouth of the sleeping...