Employers Can Be So Insensitive :-(

Well, that is a bit bloody wrong. Geez, I hope the guy is alright! I have never been sacked, so it is not something I have expereince with, but I kind of think that if an employer has to let someone go, then a face to face meeting with the boss, or a supervisor in charge is the only way that it should be done. Letters, emails or phone calls are not on! I would never do that to a person and would be very upset if someone did it to me.

Yeah a very similar thing happen to my sister at her job. She was hired for seasonal work and at the end of the holidays, she had a couple of her supervisors inform her that her job was secure and that they were going to keep her on permanently. They even wrote out a letter telling her that she was a great employee and that they would love to have her continue her employment there. Then at the end of the day they had a meeting and said she was sacked. She was thrown such a curveball, and the supervisors asked her if she wanted a letter saying she was fired. People inside of businesses definitely be in better contact with each other and know whats going on with everyone elses plans.

Heavens!!! How could they do that??? I mean, you are breaking a bad news on someone, one should at least think a little... Over here, the employee is called in his office by the manager... And they give a little soothing though false support with their good wishes for a search for a new job... It depends however what kind of mistake has caused the sacking... A colleague of mine was caught on CCTV when he stole RAM chips of our boss's computer.. He was sacked without warning etc... And it is justified too... It depends on the reason...

Seriously? Who the heck would do that over the phone anyway?

That's awful! I hope the guy is ok AND I hope the message was a prank -- a very bad prank. And if it was a prank, I'd go after the person that did it. Not sure what you could charge him with, but I'd try... If it wasn't a prank, and it was a manager from the company, I don't know if you could sue, but I'd sure give them a piece of my mind. Discussion with a lawyer might be a first step...

That is not only sad but cruel.. Here in the US we do have laws that protect employee privacy. As if management is planning on "sacking" an employee they are not suppose to tell other employees private related information without informing the employee first. I wish him well and hope all goes well.

Wow, Janey that is definitely not the way to give someone such news. In my mind, it is gut-less to leave messages on somebody's answer-machine. I have had to deliver bad news to people many times especially when I ran my own bands when I was a musician. Sometimes a gig wouldn't pay enough to employ all the musicians that worked with me, and I just had to tell them, but not by phone or letter, but face to face. Having had a heart attack myself back int 2006, I know that it was stress that triggered it. I know I had a circulation condition that had been with me all my life, but it was stress that caused my blood to clot more than normal. It sounds as if he wasn't all that old either, and without such shocks, would have had more years without heart problems. Once a heart attack has occurred, it does change your life. They can do some great things, but it is always in the back of your mind, that you got to avoid the things that can bring another one on. I hope everything turns on the best for the guy.. And ending to one thing, could mean the start of something much better - so the saying goes, so best to see the glass as half-full... _Derek

Hi Yes, what you are saying is true-employers can really be very insensitive. But at the same time, we must remember that all the employers are businessmen, and their sole aim is to make money. They employ you to help them realize that goal, and as long as you are delivering the goods, they will surely look after you. But once they see there is no satisfactory output from your side, the employers have the right to dismiss you.

Hi Janey, That is a terrible thing to do to anybody, but he has a letter, also was told at the meeting that his job is safe, so I hope someone will tell him that when he is well again, he CAN!! sue the company for just verbally saying it on the phone, all is not lost for him if he use his head and not worry so, I hope this man is ok. Tamara

Janey1966 it is very hard!! It´s cruel, and its true. Employeers seem to be so insesitive, just because they have the "money" to be so. Of course it is not fair. I wish he has recovered from his heart attack. My prayers for him. Blessings!... Dainy

Yeah, I suggest he leave the message on the phone as evidence. That is such an insensitive thing to do. They should have just talked to him calmly about it. I guess after hearing that his job was safe he got relieved from all worries but as soon as he read the message, he got shocked again but this time maybe twice the amplitude as before.

May your hubby makes a quick recovery from his illness.At the time of economic slump,everybody feels insecure.Just as you have said:"not everyone is so lucky."When the nest is overturned no eggs stays unbroken(as the saying goes).I think the employers don't have an easy time either.

In my estimation this was extremely unethical on the parts of all participants other than the person who ended in the hospital. While an argument might be raised that he was eavesdropping, it's also difficult not to overhear conversations under certain circumstances. A phone call to announce that a cut has been made and he is the one who will be unemployed is unethical in the extreme and if a joke in extremely poor taste and as shown a threat to the health and well being of others. Since there was communication both verbal and written between him and his employer if the message is still on the machine I would think there is grounds for legal recourse. I suggest the family consult an attorney in this matter as clearly there should be some consequences for the act which has resulted in this man's illness and hospitalization.

Sad to hear what had happened to your husband. They must be responsible enough on relaying such information to their employees.I hope he's now well and can work.

No one should be notified by phone!Legally it has to be in writing.I would sue whoever that itty it was that left that phone message.

I don't think you can sue because you had a heart attack. If you could every banker who foreclosed on a house would be responsible and they're not. Of course, you can always try.

Was it actually the employer, or someone who go sacked making trouble? Though, I do know of at least one instance of someone being fired over the phone, after they put in a day's work...

That is so sad. What a terrible thing to have happen for the poor guy to be so upset upon hearing that news that he had a heart attack. I wonder if it was just a prank call even like say a friend who was joking around and didnt think anything like that would happen. I hope that it was just a misunderstanding and that he has not lost his job. Now since he will have to recooperate from the heart attack I hope they wont fire him for having to take time off. I cant imagine a boss firing someone over the phone. That should be something they should have to do in person.