August 4, 2006
fashion store sacks employee by SMS - because it is "part of youth culture"
A trendy fashion store sacked a young shop assistant by text message - because it is "part of youth culture", informs The Telegraph.
Katy Tanner, 21, who had been working at the clothes and body-piercing shop in Cardiff for only eight weeks, was shocked by her boss's message on her mobile telephone. But the Blue Banana high street chain defended the text sacking, saying yesterday: ""We are a youth business and our staff are all part of the youth culture that uses SMS messaging as a major means of communication. As we wished to spare Miss Tanner the embarrassment and expense of coming to the store only to be sent home again, we thought it was the best course of action."
The message said: "We've reviewed your sales figures and they're not up to the level we need. As a result we will not require your services any more. Thank you for your time with us."
Katy was off sick with a severe migraine when she was axed. She said: "I don't think it's right to just text someone. It's very impersonal and not at all professional. You don't expect that. You're not allowed to text in sick - you have to phone. The fact that they texted me is a bit of a double standard."
Links to other "sacked by SMS" incidents from around the world:
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