We've all seen it at one point in our career or another: a previously steady, productive employee reaches his or her breaking point. Everyone watches as the employee slowly ruins their career and relationships with others in the organization. If it's an IT manager in your organization who experiences that breakdown, it can wreak havoc on productivity and morale--not to mention systems development. And unlike other employees, who can afford to sit by and watch the IT manager slowly talk himself out of a job, CIOs have to figure out why it's happening and how to stop it. Common causes of job breakdowns include personal setbacks such as death, divorce and breakups, being passed over for a promotion, too much pressure on the job, a thorough dislike of the job or the environment, or even mental illness. To figure out how to proceed, first ask yourself if this person's career is salvageable, and then whether the person has unique and essential knowledge or skills. With answers to these questions, you can evaluate your options while minimizing damage to others and ensuring that you treat the employee fairly. Solutions include dismissal and setting the employee up to work solo.

Learn more about how to manage a disruptive employee:
- read the article at ComputerWorld