Pet Ensure Inc. is a high performance company that prides itself on superior performance and excellence from their employees. The basic ambience of Pet Ensure Inc. is somewhat rigid and conservative. Following protocol and policy is considered vital to the survival of the company in the new millennium. Mrs. Phat-Ho demands diligent performance and when her demands are met, she rewards her employees with a very generous bonus and compensation package. Prior to the dispute in question, an annual survey was given to each employee regarding job enjoyment and satisfaction. The results showed that 88% of the employees were quite happy in their positions. Pet Ensure Inc. makes its money by selling life insurance for pets, and relies heavily on sales generated by telemarketing and advertisement through bulk mailing and multi-media facets. The company is well rounded and very well established in its niche with strong hierarchy of departments in each office. Despite their success, Mrs. Phat-Ho realizes that conflicts exist and productivity levels have plummeted. Right now, there are severe dysfunctional conflicts between a majority of the employees and upper management. These conflicts started out trivial enough and have elevated into a chaotic mess threatening the very well being of the company.
Approximately two years ago, a rumor spread like wildfire in the firm regarding a possible change in ownership. For months, employees had been buzzing with anxiety about possible layoffs and suffering from undue stress. Productivity levels plummeted because the employees were preoccupied with baseless worries and their work suffered. One day while speaking privately with an associate on the telephone, Mrs. Phat-Ho had casually mentioned about selling her house and changing ownership. One of the department heads was passing by her door, heard the speakerphone, and misconstrued her dialogue with 'selling' her ownership stake in the company.