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Is it proper for a manager to demean and employee, that is in-line for a promotion, to test how he will react?
Reprimanding, discipling, correcting all OK and necessary, but to purposefully demean an employee is unethical and could possibly be considered harassment.
I would have to say no! You praise in public and discipline in private. You should never demean someone to get a reaction. There are assesment/promotional boards which can be utilized to gauge someones reaction.