In the long run they'll be fired. It took two years but I saw a few of my coworkers get fired for the b.s. they did over the years. Some of them are holding on by a thread. That's kroger for you they'll hire the lowest common denominator and hide them until the heat is hotter than hot.
Instigate? To apply for any kind of severe abuse you just show up and do your work when an "example" is wanted. Pure chance, like getting mugged on the street.