Some managers deal with disengaged employees head-on, discussing the problem, offering solutions and assistance, and detailing the consequences if the situation doesn’t improve. Other managers take a passive-aggressive approach, intentionally creating a toxic workplace environment to squeeze the employee out by “quiet firing” them.

Managers using this approach take a step back from the employee and basically write them off as a loss. They don’t supply adequate coaching, support or development opportunities. They exclude the employee from important assignments and find ways to isolate them from their peers.