Firing by E-mail
RadioShack was there first. There was a time when Radio Shack was the first and foremost chain of retail electronic outlets. In 1977, Radio Shack became one of the first companies to offer a mass-produced personal home computer, the TRS-80.
So is it any wonder that, when RadioShack Corp decided to trim its workforce by 400 jobs, the unfortunate employees were notified by email? Selected employees were greeted Tuesday morning by the message: “The work force reduction notification is currently in progress. Unfortunately, your position is one that has been eliminated.”
Years ago, when an employee was fired he got the news when a “pink slip” arrived in his wage envelope along with his check. As companies increasingly use computer technology and the internet in their daily operations, can this be the wave of the future in termination notification?
RadioShack Uses E-Mail to Fire Employees
I guess they figured they were less likely to get hurt this way (The people doing the firing not the fired folks.) I find it disgusting however, whats next Text Messaging people the performance reviews?
By Janus on September 3rd, 2006 at 3:29 am
It’s certainly impersonal. I suppose there is no good way to tell someone that they are part of the lay-off but at the very least, managers and human resources used to try to cushion the news. I remember someone I knew who had been laid off from a job. He spoke highly of his exit interview with his manager who thanked him for his time there and wished him success in the future. Strangely, the personal way he handled the situation made this employee feel like the lay-off was less personal, just luck of the draw. When the news is delivered electronically, I cannot help but think it steals a little more humanity from the corporate world, and it’s scarce enough now.
By Andrea on September 3rd, 2006 at 12:45 pm