Candace owns a small business that is financially struggling. In order to respond to economic pressures, Candace is now obliged to lay off an employee, close operations on Sundays, and cut budget costs in a few other ways that will affect employees and how they do business. If conflict arises, the root cause will likely be
a. adversarial management.b. organizational change or competition over resources.c. ineffective communication of new work practices.d. value and personality clashes

Organizational change usually takes place due to external or internal pressures. In this specific case, Candace´s business is not doing well, probably her sales are down. We don´t know the reason why, I can guess probably more competition, but we know she must act fast.

Money is the most scarce resource of all. So if money is not flowing in like Candace would expect she must be able to make difficult decisions. Laying off a worker (out of how many?) is usually seen as a bad sign for the rest of the employees. Reducing labor days (Sundays) will probably also affect the rest of the employees negatively because they will simply work less hours and get paid less.

But the bottom line is Candace as the owner (probably also the manager) has to make the decisions that are necessary for her business to continue. It would always be worst for everyone involved (Candace and her employees) if they go out of business. That way everyone loses.

At this point Candace will need to communicate with her employees and let them know how bad the situation is and the necessary steps to be taken. Her actions will be unpopular but its her job to convince her employees that its for everyone´s best interest. Well, for everyone except the one employee already fired. Leaders must show up in difficult times and make tough choices.