Is it legal or correct, to say "you're fired" when terminating an employee?

Answer 1

No itis not. Donald Trump trademarked that phrase for sales purposes.

Answer 2

It is perfectly legal to say "you're fired" and many companies do just that. Those words are stinging in any environment, so more compassionate companies avoid this language and often this process altogether.

Sometimes it doesn't work out, and it is best for the employer and the employee to part ways. That should be a process rather than one "you're fired" meeting. It should start with a discussion about what isn't working and why to see if it can be remedied. Then a written document can be provided. At this stage, the employer and employe should decide it this can work or not. In some cases the employee is given time to find another role outside or inside the company, or they resign. Much better outcome for all.

Answer 3

Not if it's done where others may hear it, it does not insure privacy of information.
Even though that's exactly what is inferred by all when people get pink slips, the supervisor or boss isn't supposed to say it. I would check with the union steward who would have the information on that particular occupation, but it definitely isn't correct, I'm just unsure as to the legal ramifications of the situation. That sort of varies. If you're a part time employee, full time with benefits etc...Some teachers can get fired if they even wear something that the boss doesn't like, and they can say you're fired to those employees. The union usually steps in though, but you must go to your union steward and state your case. Depending on how it was done, if you weren't taken off to a closed door room that insured privacy, you could be looking at wrongful termination.

Answer 4

Yes it's legal to say it, but it's kind of rude and harsh.

Most people will be polite, but strict when they let you go. They'll say something like, "We no longer need your services. [Security Guard Name Here] will watch you as you collect your things and escort you out the door."

Bottom line, remember when you work for someone its a business deal. It's temporary, and you have the freedom to terminate your employment just as easily as your employer can terminate your services.

Be polite regardless, you never know when future opportunities arise.

Emotionally, this is not an easy spot to be in, especially if the firing is unexpected.

A slacker won't be too shocked he got canned. Someone with an impossible boss won't be surprised when he gets the boot either.

If you work for a company, keep in mind how well and easily cash flows into and out of the organization you work for. Small businesses usually have cash flow problems. You generally won't find out until you've worked for a company for several months.

Again, be polite, be formal, and watch your back. If you're an employer, you gotta watch out for the bottom line and a slacker can kill your business. If you're an employee, do the best you can for your employer to help him/her make money. If you're valuable you won't bet the axe.

Answer 5

I see a lot of people have a 'kinder, gentler' concept of professionalism. I'd like to say that polite people are much appreciated in this world, but I don't see how good manners should be legally enforceable. In fact, I believe it is downright oppressive to enforce good manners using the legal system.

This is a big grey area that we are dealing with and there are people who are using this new professionalism to take over much of the business world. Today, being the tough guy at work might get you nowhere, while having a ridiculously thin skin and a zero tolerance to violations of an ever-increasing list of social "norms" might not boost your career, but will most likely destroy someone else's.

You're fired. Does THAT hurt your feelings? Why shouldn't it? You care about your job, personal and professional development is a way of life to you and you've just been exiled from the group of people who help you feed, clothe, and house yourself and family members. Would it feel any better if the terms, "terminate" or "let go" were used? Exactly how much claim does a person have to the better manners of others? You must ask yourself this in both a social and legal context.

In our language, "You're fired!" is the most direct way of saying it. Being honest and direct is appreciated in a professional environment because it assumes that the recipient of those words can take it, while choosing from a list of socially acceptable phrases is often - well, it's much like being spoken to as a child - one who cries a lot.

It's isn't like caling someone a 4 letter word when they deserve it. You aren't slapping a person in the face because they deserve that either. Those two examples are generally not accepted in the central realm of our society, but a significant representation of our society will argue that those reactions are warranted if called for.

If simply telling someone "you're fired" is going to be deemed unacceptable, there is nothing people will not be able to get away with when using complaint-based strategies to manipulate professionalism in America. The only thing I would like to ask is, "How do we fight back?"

Answer 6

Who knows? I mean if you are Joe Blow and you work for a lawn mowing company that employs 3 people I do not suspect it really matters what they say to him as long as he leaves.

Now days most companies of any size have a human resource person and they handle this type of thing. They may say you have been terminated or your position has been eliminated or your fired. There are no laws that say you can't use the word " Fired" when terminating an employee. Heck some like Radio Shack do it now in an email that says your sacked get packed and don't let the door hit you in the crack on the way out.

Answer 7

It is legal to say "you're fired". However, that is kind of a cruel way to treat your employee if they have to be let go. An employer should use more tact unless the employee did some egregious act which would then warrant the negative "you're fired" reply.

Answer 8

You're fired is such a demeaning way to terminate someone. It makes them feel they are worthless. It also makes for a difficult relationshjip with your remaining employees. It is best to give them a positive such as "I know you have been trying lately to improve and while that is noted, we also don't feel it has been significant enough - and we will have to let you go" You should also follow up with "I'm really sorry to have to do this, it's never easy to let someone go, and we will do everything possible to allow your diginity while you're leaving." You could offer to let them leave through a back door, or help them carry their items to their vehicle. Remember how you 'd like to be treated. My employees always feel my pain.

Answer 9

At my last job, I was fired over the phone by the junior partner after leaving work because I was being harrassed by a drunk employee. Exact words : "You better go find another f'in job; bring your keys in today". Of course I did find another job and a better paying one at that, within hours. When the senior partner came back from vacation he was livid and 2 and a half years later hes still trying to get me back. Ive been a restaurant manager before and my words to a terminated employee would depend on why I was letting them go. If it was for theft or insolence I would say "you are done here..get out". If it was for ineptitude I would be much nicer and say something like "Im sorry but it doesnt look like you are getting the hang of this and I think its best to let you go". And being the person that I am I would often try to help this person find more suitable work. For example one cook I fired had formerly been a truck driver and one of our vendors needed a route driver. I gave him a good reference (he was a dependable employee with a good attitude just couldnt cook worth crap). He got hired and now nearly 20 years later hes the distribution manager there.

Answer 10

I don't believe it's either legal or correct. It's a slang expression meaning 'fired off' as in a gun discharge from the days of single shot muskets. Once fired the weapon is useless until reloaded, hence the position you filled is empty until replacement.

To be correct you should be given a letter of dismissal explaining why you have been 'fired' although a verbal dismissal is sufficient pending issue of a letter.

In England the expression is 'You're sacked' going back to the days when a dismissed employee would be handed a sack containing his tools and possessions.

Answer 11

It shouldn't matter. If an employee does something that legitimately qualifies them for termination, or being "fired", it shouldn't matter what the wording is. If people can't handle being fired, they shouldn't be sitting around all day with their thumbs up their @$$es and not getting anything done. Having a job is a privelage, even if it is one that is excessively taken for granted, and not an inalienable right. If you get fired for something that had nothing to do with your performance, etc. then that's another matter altogether, but otherwise if you're not even mature enough to deal with the consequences of your own actions without throwing a tantrum you are damn lucky to be able to keep a job for any ammount of time.