The thing you miss is that this is disrespectful and inappropriate to everyone else besides the two miscreants involved in this instance. While they go around pinching and mooning each other, everyone else is wanting it to stop and finds the whole incident to be repulsive and offensive - with good reason.

If one person is disrespectful and bullies the other, it is not OK to turn around and do it back to them. To allow that as management would be the abject moral failure (you miss that part). When did it ever become proper and right to wrong somebody (everybody?) else to make one thing right? A business environment is no place for street tactics and back and forth attacks on each other. This is about way more than just the two involved in this - it's about subjecting everyone else to this sick behavior (in both directions).

Let me put it this way to you - anyone that behaves as you would advocate would not have a long history at my company and, I would recommend that people with your attitude don't apply because it would be a waste of time for both of us. We don't tolerate that sort of behavior at all and won't start.

Let me tell you about some results of this sort of issue - my team works exceptionally well together. Regularly, we get rated as top performers in our industry. This respect attitude transcends our dealings with other businesses and customers - many of whom have had productive and valuable relationships with us for many, many years. Our employees have all been with us for a long time and when we add a position due to growth, I don't have to advertise - high quality people come asking to apply. I take all of that as a big complement.

Why would I do it any other way? I wouldn't want to work at a company that tolerates the kind of behavior that you suggest is ok. Fortunately for me, I don't have to - and won't.

If you own your own business then try running as you advocate and let us know how that works out for you.

J.