Seems to me that this would bear close scrutiny before any action is taken. If the employee has a good record and the "mistake" was made at the end of a 12 or 15 hour day or just under the wire of an intensly important deadline, then it COULD be viewed as an honest (albeit stupid) mistake. In that case, a reprimand and a "probationary" period would suffice. If it was due to incompetence, a demotion and possible suspension w/o pay would probably address the issue. However, if the employee has had previous "indiscretions", ie insubordination, resistance to working in a team enviroment, problems with upper management, etc., then the possibility that a malicious act was committed does exist and would justify termination. Just my .02 worth.