The primary subject matter of this case concerns organizational culture and conflict management. Secondary issues examined include ethics, human resource management, organizational theory and strategy. The case has a difficulty level appropriate for upper division and graduate business students. The case is designed to be taught in one to two class hours and is expected to require two to four hours of outside preparation by students. Zero tolerance policies, while still on the rise in many institutions in this country (most prominently in U.S. school systems), are increasingly being challenged in courts at various levels. Two of the most common reasons for court cases in this area are inflexibility in relatively minor violations and egregious penalties that far exceed the particular situation. Both of these reasons for litigation are evidenced in the case presented here.

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