Getting fired is never easy, but how it’s done can make all the difference. In October 2025, Target announced it would eliminate 1,800 corporate roles (roughly 8% of its global corporate workforce) just weeks before the holiday season. The news came via a company-wide memo, leaving many employees blindsided and scrambling right before the holidays. While layoffs are sometimes necessary, the method of delivery can either preserve dignity or crush morale. Here are five ways companies have fired employees that are just downright heartless.
1. The Cold Corporate Memo
One of the most impersonal ways to be fired is through a generic company-wide email or memo. Target’s recent layoff announcement was delivered via a memo from incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, offering little room for questions or personal acknowledgment. For employees who’ve dedicated years to a company, this approach feels like a slap in the face. It strips away humanity and reduces people to numbers on a spreadsheet. A personal conversation, even if difficult, shows respect, something a mass email can never convey.
2. Fired Right Before the Holidays
Timing matters, and few things feel crueler than being let go just before the holiday season. Target’s layoffs were announced in late October, with many employees set to lose their jobs in early January. This timing leaves little room for financial planning or emotional preparation during what should be a joyful time. It also sends a message that profits matter more than people’s well-being. While business decisions are complex, compassion should never be optional.
3. The “Surprise Zoom” Termination
In the age of remote work, some companies have resorted to firing employees via surprise Zoom calls. These meetings often start with vague calendar invites and end with a pink slip. There’s no time to prepare, no warning, and no privacy, just a cold digital goodbye. It’s a jarring experience that leaves employees feeling ambushed and humiliated. While not confirmed in Target’s case, this method has become increasingly common and deeply unsettling.
4. Locking Out Without Notice
Imagine logging into your work computer only to find your access revoked: no explanation, no heads-up. Some companies, in an effort to “protect data,” lock employees out of systems before even informing them they’ve been let go. It’s a tactic that prioritizes control over compassion. This method leaves workers confused, anxious, and often embarrassed in front of colleagues. It’s a harsh way to end a professional relationship and erodes trust in leadership.
5. Blaming “Restructuring” Without Accountability
“Restructuring” has become corporate speak for layoffs, often used to deflect responsibility. Target cited overlapping roles and the need for agility as reasons for its cuts, but critics argue that vague language avoids real accountability. When companies hide behind buzzwords, they fail to acknowledge the human cost of their decisions. Employees deserve transparency and honesty, not spin. Owning the decision, even if unpopular, shows integrity.
When Layoffs Lack Humanity, Everyone Loses
Layoffs may be a reality of business, but how they’re handled speaks volumes about a company’s values. Target’s mass layoff, while strategic on paper, has left many questioning the company’s empathy and leadership. Firing someone is never easy, but doing it with dignity, clarity, and compassion can soften the blow. When companies choose cold efficiency over human connection, they damage morale, reputation, and trust. In the end, the way people are let go matters just as much as why.
Have you ever experienced, or witnessed, a layoff that felt especially cruel or compassionate? Share your story in the comments below.
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