U r sckd: worker fired by text message

[Treibenschnell]

A company has defended its decision to sack one of its staff by text message, claiming it was keeping in touch with youth culture.



Katy Tanner, a 21-year-old sales assistant, received the message while she was off work with a migraine, the South Wales Echo newspaper said Friday.


The text message said: "We will not require your services anymore...Thank you for your time with us."


"I don't think it's right to just text someone. At least they should have talked to me face to face," Tanner said.


"You're not allowed to text in sick, you have to phone. The fact that they texted me is a bit of double standards."


Several senior staff members at Blue Banana, a body-piercing and jewellery shop based in Cardiff, defended the decision.


But company director Jon Taylor added that an internal investigation was underway to see if "the ultimate action was ideal".


The retailer claims it tried to reach Tanner directly "five or six times" and passed on a message through her boyfriend before the text was sent.


And store director Ian Besbie added that the dismissal method was fair because texting was a part of "youth culture".


"We are a youth business and our staff are all part of the youth culture that uses SMS (text) messaging as a major means of communication," he said.


The company employs about 120 people in Britain, many of them aged under 21.

How about that?



I have to say, though, that I've asked my boss that if I'm to be laid off or fired to have the common decency to call me at home before I make the 60 mile round trip drive... knowing I could've stayed at home would piss me off more than getting canned.

[altiain]

How about that?



I have to say, though, that I've asked my boss that if I'm to be laid off or fired to have the common decency to call me at home before I make the 60 mile round trip drive... knowing I could've stayed at home would piss me off more than getting canned.

When I got laid off from the Associates, they called everyone in to a mandatory meeting at 8 am... in the ice. I got to spend two hours on the road that morning fighting the invincible SUV drivers to get to work on a day when half the businesses and schools in DFW were closed, only to be told that I was being let go.

I would much rather have gotten a text message.

[Treibenschnell]

I would much rather have gotten a text message.

Exactly!

Why drive all the way just to be supremely disappointed!

Hell, I could've slept in!

[sammm]

There is no good way to do it. One guy here got called in from vacation to be told he was being laid off. Welcome to Corporate America where no one is safe anymore.

[channelmaniac]

Yeah... It's a clue over here when they tell you to be sure & bring your laptop to a meeting with your boss.

DOH!

They want the laptop back at the same time they can you.

RJ

[onething]

Standard procedure around here, so far, has been a face-to-face meeting followed by an escort to your desk. Then you get 2 boxes and 10 minutes. Anything else can be handled later.

Since I work from home, I told my boss if he laid me off, that was what he'd get - 2 boxes and 10 minutes to get all the company stuff off my property!

[Treibenschnell]

That's why I keep only a picture of my wife at my desk... otherwise it looks like an empty cubicle.

[Sharpie]

Standard procedure around here, so far, has been a face-to-face meeting followed by an escort to your desk. Then you get 2 boxes and 10 minutes. Anything else can be handled later.

Since I work from home, I told my boss if he laid me off, that was what he'd get - 2 boxes and 10 minutes to get all the company stuff off my property!

HAHAHAHAHAHA That's great!

As for the text firing, so be it, but at least give the opportunity for an exit interview.