An employee can be terminated at any time for any reason, keeping in sight some exceptions like racial or gender discrimination. Legally, yes, an Employer can fire an employee over a phone call, an e-mail or a text message. Though this might be a terrible and the last in your list way to fire your employee, No law prohibits it unless your employee has a documented disability. Let us know Can You Fire An Employee Over a Phone Call?
No one likes to let go off the most significant resource of their company, the human power, an EMPLOYEE. But if they are found violating the rules, inconsistent with work and low regard to their responsibilities, one is left with no other option but to fire them. We agree, this action must be taken face-to-face, unless the employees aren’t responding to calls or mails or are located in distant workplace. And it is totally legal to fire an employee over a phone call or simply with a “You’re fired” icing on the cake. Also, the terms and conditions for hiring and terminating an employee must be clearly mentioned in your company’s policy. Only then the grounds and way of firing an employee can be considered as valid.
Below mentioned are some of the situations when it might be valid to fire an employee over a phone call
Distant workplace:
If the person works from home that is located in different city or state, or in another branch of the company, when it is difficult to set up a face-to-face meeting, then discussing the issue over a video call seems to a good option. This tends to be a good way if phone calling is the only possible way of communication.
On leave
Though it is difficult to fire anyone when they are on a leave due to the signed documents and certain fundamental rules of employment, but if the termination was announced before the leave was granted and if there are needed documents in support of the action it can be done over a call.
Unable to meet in person
When one of the two- employer or employee is unable to meet in person for certain reasons such as being abroad or in jail or unexpected emergencies, terminating action can be taken over a call or through mail.
Hideous action
When an employee has done hideous action and is not in any position to be invited to the office for a meeting, firing over a voicemail can also make sense. Because calling them to the office may disturb the other employees and make the working environment unpleasant.
No matter, we bring out as many possible reasons for terminating an employee over a call, an in person meeting will still be considered as the best way. After all employees are still a human being and they deserve some form of respect over such a crucial decision on their career and change in their working areas. An abrupt voice call announcing their termination may turn their lives upside down. Give your employees the courtesy that you would give to any other person. They must be given a fair opportunity to improve their performance.
Hence, following are some reasons why firing over a phone call is not a good choice
Poor communication
it is difficult to deliver our true reasons or intentions over a call. Many misunderstandings arises due to the same. The employee would not be able to see the compassion of the employer or the regret for his loss.
Professional etiquettes
Once if you fire an employee over a call, you are marked as inconsiderate by your other employees, also the trust between you and your team can be shaken easily. This might put you and your company in loss as it would be difficult to attract new talent.
Paperwork
If you fire an employee in a face-to-face meeting, you get a sure chance to make them sign the required documents in the presence of few important people who act as witness of fair and just action. In the case of a phone call, the paper work will get delayed and you would not be able to take any further steps.
So basically it is a good, not so good option to fire your employees over a phone call. But if you are very sure to do that keep in mind some of the small but necessary things
Give warnings to your employee whom you have your eyes on. It should not come as a surprise for them.
Don’t end the professional relationship on a low note. Give them better recommendations and much needed words of encouragement especially when it’s happening over a call. That will boost their confidence and also their regard towards you.
If you are sure with your decision and in no state to change your decision it is better to keep the discussion short and only needful. It would be cruel to rehash old dissatisfactions again and again.
Don’t leave them with doubts. Approach them with kindness and respect, but your words should be clear and straight.
Hereby, We tried to cover all the necessary points and possible situations for handling the termination of an employee.
Terminations are never fun. At times it could be the most difficult thing to do. But doing it in person and over a phone call makes a major difference in the results. So all we want to say at the end is; Whatever your decision might be, thing which makes difference is how you present it. And in a professional life it is most important to keep your morale high.
