Getting fired from your job is never pleasant, but there are certainly ways of easing the pain. The sacking of Manchester United manager David Moyes showed having your dismissal splashed across the front pages of the national press is definitely not the most graceful way to go.
Breaking up with a partner by text message is another definite no-no, and the same applies to giving an employee the push. Being fired by any means other than face-to-face is lazy and impersonal. Just as an ex-employee of an Italian Bistro in Florida, USA, found out last year. ABC reported that when the restaurant was forced to close, the owner sent an SMS to inform the member of staff. The message read: "Jodi, I unfortunately need to inform you that I have been forced to close Barducci's effective immediately."
Social media is a great way to get a job, but it can also ruin your career. In 2008, a group of Virgin Atlantic staff, who insulted passengers and criticised the company's safety standards on Facebook, found this out the hard way. The company conducted an official investigation of the 13 employees' behaviour, and they were fired for misconduct. But being fired via Facebook would be downright humiliating.
We asked our Twitter followers to share what they think would be the worst way to be sacked. Here are our top five:
No party invite
@GuardianCareers umm, when the circular comes round for the Xmas meal and you're not on it...!?
— Tony Pinkney (@tonypinkney) April 24, 2014
Post-it note
@GuardianCareers by post it note would be pretty depressing. A disciplinary hearing by post it note would be very challenging...
— Fairman Consulting (@FairConsult) April 24, 2014
@GuardianCareers By an email that was mistakenly sent to you eg "[your name] no longer works here, don't tell them til Friday though"
— Felicity (@frangipane20) April 24, 2014
A colleague
@GuardianCareers any way in which you are not the first one to know
— Ghislaine Dell (@GhislaineDell) April 24, 2014
Vine video
@GuardianCareers By Vine.... 6 seconds that you'll never forget!
— Dan Stobbs (@Stobbzy) April 24, 2014
Our list is by no means exhaustive, so please feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below.
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