The evidence is irrefutable. Whether in good times or bad, companies like Marriott International, Wegman's Foods, Chick-fil-A, Pebble Beach Company, and a host of others skillfully (and profitably) use their relationship with employees as a competitive weapon.

One thing we've not focused on much, and perhaps it's time we did, in view of the havoc being created by a still tough economy, is the fact that treating workers well also helps preclude the organizational equivalent of Mad Cow Disease. In other words, it helps keep bad things from happening.

Let's face it, when people get bored, frustrated, or feel they've been mistreated or taken for granted, they frequently strike back. Whether it's appropriate or not, the target of their ire is often the workplace, specifically the institution and its management.

Witness the recent YouTube incident involving two Domino's Pizza employees making "special" orders (the video you'll see at this link is Domino's president Patrick Doyle responding to the original video, which you won't see), or incidents of malicious damage done by fired IT workers at the Wand Corporation and Fannie Mae, as reported at INC.com. These types of incidents do more than just damage brands. They cost real money, and in some cases, threaten the very existence of the enterprise.

Though having an engaged workforce doesn't inoculate an organization against Mad Cow employees, it certainly helps. For one thing, acts of spite, vengeance, or larceny don't often occur without the tacit knowledge or support of others. Et tu Bernie Madoff? Engaged co-workers are far more inclined to report such incidents, or take direct measures to stop them before they play out. Those who are less committed are more likely to turn a blind eye. Even if they're being fired, people who believe they are being treated humanely and fairly in the process don't often resort to bad behavior. Indeed, some go on to speak quite well of the organization.

It's well-documented that companies who downsize, and who provide laid-off employees good outplacement services experience significantly fewer layoff-related lawsuits than employers that don't provide such services.

Treating people right doesn't mean lowering standards or giving workers things they haven't earned, the market doesn't require, and you can't afford. To the contrary, it does mean: