Firing Requires No Written Notice
By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In one famous Sex in the City episode, main character Carrie Bradshaw's then-current boyfriend dumps her by leaving her a post it note on her computer. How could he? Because it was 2003 and most people didn't have text messaging.
When a restaurant owner in Winter Park, Florida decided to shutter the business this past July 4, he fired all employees by texting them. One former employee called his actions immoral. But was it illegal? Whatever happened to the pink slip?
Doesn't an employer have to give a fired employee a formal written notice of termination? Nope.
If the employee files for unemployment compensation, the state's unemployment comp board will request a written statement with the reasons for termination but there's no law that requires any formal written notice to a terminated employee.
Simply being told not to come back suffices and you're employment relationship is over, even if you don't have a pink slip - or post it to show your girlfriends.
