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> "Remaining employees were informed Friday via text messages" What a rotten way to tell an employee that they just lost their job!
by greenyoda 8y ago
> "Remaining employees were informed Friday via text messages"
What a rotten way to tell an employee that they just lost their job!
- RcouF1uZ4gsC 8y agoWhy, from the article, it seems like everybody knew the company was struggling? What is the advantage of delivering in person? In fact, getting such news in person can be more awkward as you have to mask your emotion and pretend in front of them that it is not big deal. What hurts is the fact that they are losing their job, not the fact that the news came by text message.
- smt88 8y agoIt is awkward to fire people and should be. The point of doing it in person is to let the employee know that they’re a human being who is worth the effort of spending 10 min in-person to talk about the lay-off. Believe it or not, some people care whether they were thought of as a person or just a “human resource” on a spreadsheet.
- somethingle234 8y agoI'm not defending this startup specifically. But, in general, I dislike this attitude because: The first point is that it wastes everybody's time. This also applies when a recruiter letting us know the interview result. The recruiters love to make us feel like we are human. I actually feel the opposite. When a recruiter wanted to let me know the interview result, they would send an email to schedule a call. Then, the call would have to happen in the next few days instead. This occurred during the time I was interviewing with 7 companies and trying to juggling deadlines and offers. Just fcking tell me the result. Another point is that this kind of attitude doesn't account for "diversity" of preferences. I admit that different people would want prefer different things. But why do we default to the way that wastes the most time? Just send an email that I am fired and offer to schedule a time to talk. If I want to talk, I'll schedule the time. Please don't see me as a "human resource". But, more importantly, please do NOT waste my time.
- greenyoda 8y agoYes, shutting down a company with 30 employees shouldn't just be some abstract financial transaction to the founders. They should understand that it has significant implications for the people involved.
- syshum 8y agoBelieve it or not some people would prefer to be let go in a text message I would rather not have the Face to Face conversation, I would rather not have to drive all way into the office just for them to tell me I no longer have a job, I would rather save that time. Of course I also view employment different than most people as I do not have an attachment to it, I trade my labor for money, that is all. I do not have personal effects in my office, nor do I intermingle personal things with work things (i.e having personal emails sent to my work address, or signing up for personal accounts with my work address, or using work computers to store personal files) If I am let go this week, I have ample savings to carry me until my next job, and I have nothing at the office I need or want to retrieve. I was looking for a job when I found my current job, and if they no longer desire my labor some other company will. Send me a email detailing any Severance Package, and any other details, and save me the trouble and awkwardness of having to talk to you in person.... Of course Introverted personality with almost no emotions
- smt88 8y ago> Of course Introverted personality with almost no emotions I know that people like you exist and understand your position. However, people running companies should use an approach that works for the lowest common denominator. People like you are somewhat rare.
- netheril96 8y ago> People like you are somewhat rare. Data needed.
- smt88 8y agoI need data that people with "almost no emotions" are less common than people with emotions? I think you're implying the less orthodox scenario and the burden of proof is on you.
- TomMarius 8y agoIt's not just about introverted people with less emotions. There are people who have more emotions that would rather deal with it through text e.g. because they can't stop themselves from shedding tears even though they know it doesn't really matter, and would like to save themselves from the awkwardness. > people running companies should use an approach that works for the lowest common denominator. No. They should use the best approach for that particular person. If they don't know what that is then IMO a respectful e-mail is the best way.
- porpoisely 8y agoIt's a terrible way to learn that you are out of a job. But it's fairly common in the startup scene - especially for startups that fail. Sometimes, they don't even bother sending you the text. You just show up one day to work to see the lights are out and office equipment is gone.
- lowercased 8y agoi came back from a meeting at 3pm. 3:07 - guy in the cube next to me said "wtf, my email to you just bounced back?" 3:09 someone came with a box to escort me out of the building. 3:19 main client calls me on my mobile asking why emails to me are bouncing. i was the only contact and worker on the client's project. HR person wanted me out so bad they just cut me off without transitioning the client services to someone else.
- TomMarius 8y agoWell, did you take the client with you?
- lowercased 8y agoBasically yes. They contacted me after I left and brought their business to me.
- networkimprov 8y agoDisgruntled (ex-)employees are occasionally a hazard to company assets, and execs are afraid of mass disgruntlement :-)
- rascul 8y agoI'd rather have a text message if it saves me fuel and time.