This document discusses workplace sabotage, including who commits sabotage, why they do it, and how to detect and prevent it. It notes that executives, managers, workers, customers or partners with a motive and opportunity could engage in sabotage due to fear of change or in opposition to politics, economics, social status or ethics. Common sabotage tactics include long meetings, complex processes, delays, outdated tools, arrogance, lack of training, and gossip. Sabotage can be detected by looking for provocations, listening to employees, and finding sources of resentment. The best way to prevent sabotage is through open communication, fairness, shared goals, and addressing the underlying grievances that provoke sabotage.

1. Workplace
Sabotage
Fred Henry Williams

2. Who Sabotages Work?
Executives
Managers
Workers
Customers and Partners
Anyone with motive and opportunity

3. Why Sabotage?
● Fear:
○ Uncertainty
○ Disruption
○ Loss of control
● Opposition:
○ Politics
○ Economics
○ Social status
○ Ethics

4. How to Sabotage
The Simple Sabotage
Field Manual
...but do you need really
instructions?
Maybe you’re doing it
already?

5. Have lots of LONG meetings

6. Require Formal Approvals for Everything

7. Create Complex Processes

8. Follow Orders

9. Ask permission...TWICE

10. Misunderstand

11. Add Delays

12. Use Old Tools

13. Advise Caution

14. Be Arrogant

15. Cut Training

16. Mandatory Fun and “Team Building”

17. Reward Incompetence

18. Spread Rumors and Gossip

19. Document Nothing

20. Document Everything...Repeatedly

21. Detecting Sabotage
● Look for provocations and opportunities
● Listen to the grapevine
● Find causes of resentment
● Avoid over-reaction

22. Punishing Sabotage...the dark side of power
Make an example of the saboteurs
Overreact to their provocation
Establish Snitching and Spying
Create an atmosphere of fear

23. Preventing Sabotage
● Understand grievances and provocations
● Communicate with honesty
● Be fair and just to others
● Define and work toward shared goals