There is a growing tendency for companies to communicate through text and email rather than verbally or face to face which is presumably a more effective use of staff time than making many phone calls.
There can be no excuse however for using these media to tell individuals that they no longer have a job. A number of instances have been made public, the most recent being that of Martin Wood who committed suicide after losing his job as a delivery driver.
It may just be that the new generation of managers do everything by email, voicemail or text or perhaps a fear of confrontation if they were to tell someone straight to their face, whatever the reason these people are human-beings and deserve to be treated with respect and consideration.
Business is now so cut-throat, driven by profit and ruled by accountants that it appears that common courtesy has been forgotten. It should be remembered that staff are a company’s greatest asset, lose their respect and loyalty and the consequences could be severe.
If you need to let staff go always seek professional advice in how best to address the issue or face the consequences.
