Setting up to fail

Setting up to fail is a phrase denoting a no-win situation designed in such a way that the person in the situation cannot succeed at the task which they have been assigned. It is considered a form of workplace bullying. It is often cited as being perpetrated by management on employees, but there are also instances where the situation is reversed, or the employee self-directed the failure. It also is heavily referenced outside of business in sports, reality television, and other areas where it is felt the statement applies.