[stomachmonkey]

So let's say a company has laid off an employee due to a reorg.

Later in the day, after normal work hours, the laid off employee sends a text message to a current employee saying "your next".

Now let's say that the real sender of the text was another current employee who meant it as a joke. IMHO a cruel joke and not funny in any way shape or form.

When questioned sender claims he was just joking but also thought it would be helpful to recipient to maybe take his job more seriously. IMO whether or not recipient does or does not is not part of the equation.

Sender is higher up the food chain than recipient but not in the same reporting structure/department so it's really none of his business anyway.

One of the employees reports to me, the other does not.

Have spoken to both of them but not sure yet how much farther to take it.

What are the legal exposures for the company?