Do You Really Fire Someone Like This???
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (112717)
United States
March 24, 2025 4:46pm CST
I have been around firing people for a very long time, although these days of course, I am retired. So, I've seen people being fired many times, and have been involved in the decision-making process and the act of firing people as well.
Including in my last job, although in that one I was simply a "witness," which was required by company policy, although I did offer input on at least two occasions.
What stood out in my last job was the way people were fired, which, I have to say, was one of the strangest, most peculiar ways I have ever seen it done.
During my 10 years with the company, I witnessed at least 5 people fired, and they were all done the same exact way.
The boss went to the individual and simply said, "We have decided to make some changes, and you are not part of them."
I am not even sure where this ever came from. Was it learned? Was it how the manager before him did it and he just copied it? I mean, what is that exactly?
Have you ever heard of someone being fired this way? Does it seem strange to you to do it this way? What are your thoughts, here. I am very curious to know.
Most of the time it's done by simply saying, after perhaps some explanation, "I am sorry, but we unfortunately must let you go," or "Effective immediately, we are terminating your employment," or even simply, "You're fired."
But never, "We have decided to make some changes, and you are not part of them."
Not only does it seem rather cold to me. It's just weird.
I am not even sure where this ever came from. Was it learned? Was it how the manager before him did it and he just copied it? I mean, what is that exactly?
Have you ever heard of someone being fired this way? Does it seem strange to you to do it this way? What are your thoughts, here. I am very curious to know.
Most of the time it's done by simply saying, after perhaps some explanation, "I am sorry, but we unfortunately must let you go," or "Effective immediately, we are terminating your employment," or even simply, "You're fired."
But never, "We have decided to make some changes, and you are not part of them."
Not only does it seem rather cold to me. It's just weird.8 people like this
9 responses
@lovebuglena (52142)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Mar 25
It sounds unprofessional to me to say that.
Does the boss have to say he/she is sorry when firing someone? I don’t know. They probably aren’t sorry lol.
I wouldn’t like to hear You’re fired.
Unfortunately, we must let you go sounds much better.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52142)
• Staten Island, New York
29 Mar 25
@porwest Do companies have to give employees two-week notice when firing them? I know if you leave you gotta give them two weeks generally.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
30 Mar 25
@lovebuglena No. Not at all. Most people are fired on the spot and escorted immediately out of the building.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
29 Mar 25
No requirement to say sorry. But it's usually customary to at least be sympathetic to a degree and offer some sort of an explanation for the termination, and, of course, to do it in a more "professional" manner than this is.
As for someone saying outright, "You're fired," no one has ever actually used that term with me, and I have never used it either. "We're going to have to let you go," is probably the most common way I have seen someone fired.
I don't even think Trump probably ever actually said, "You're fired," until he hosted The Apprentice. It was just good television.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
27 Mar 25
I wouldn't even call it corporate speak. It's just not done that way. I am very curious where he ever got this from and why he even thought 1) it makes sense to say it that way and 2) it is an appropriate way to terminate one's employment.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
25 Mar 25
Yes, that is a super weird way to fire someone. I might even prefer them saying hit the road Jack. 
At least I’d have a fun song in my head.
At least I’d have a fun song in my head.1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
25 Mar 25
It's almost enough to make the employee wonder if they're actually being fired or?
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
24 Mar 25
I agree, that is a weird way to fire somebody... Although, I did once see/hear a boss scream at a guy that he was the worst worker they'd ever had and he was fired... That boss was terminated shortly after the ex-employee had reported the way he was fired to the main office. The GM showed up and asked me if I'd seen/heard what had happened. I explained what I'd seen and heard and the GM stepped into the boss's office and told him he was no longer needed.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
10 Aug
I remember a fellow supervisor when I worked at Coke. We had a Jamaican guy named Alton working on the Mead wrap machine and there was a heated exchange between the two about the fact that the supervisor felt that Alton did something wrong to cause a major screw up they were dealing with.
"Why don't you go back to your fekking country!" he shouted. Everyone heard it. He was fired the next day. But they didn't begin that conversation by saying to him, "We have decided to make some changes, and you are not part of them." lol
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122067)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
24 Mar 25
I have heard of sports stars and field bosses being let go since the company boss says something to the effect "There have been a change in plans." or "We are going in another direction."
1 person likes this
