The cartoon here illustrates the lack of face to face contact in the Workplace. It makes a humorous approach to the fact that a person being fired should be a personal interaction between an employee and his superior to be able to discuss the reasons for firing. The fact that the employee was unaware of the firing shows that certain things should not be done over the internet. The lack of communication between the two shows how firing should be done in a direct manner with the employee in question. Recently I watched the movie Up In The Air starring George Clooney and it depicts how the neccessity of firing in person remains the best way to ensure that the person in question isn't blindsided by the act and it can be discussed in a conversational manner in a private area. The movie was a great example about how the technology of firing over the internet while more efficient, still shouldn't be used because of the emotional reasons attached. Technology can greatly improve our speed of work but can not always be the best method of use.The cartoon also shows how information can be lost over the internet and email. The superior in the situation thought that the employee would see the notice of firing and leave the workplace. However the message was lost or not seen and the employee remained working unaware of the termination of employment. The best way to ensure communication is delivered properly is to deliver the message in person. That way there is a far less chance of the message not being received properly.
It seems as though people use the internet or email as a way to escape the ackward situations that sometimes need to be made. Relationships can end over a text message or email. This is a persons way of escaping the realities of communicating with people. The same goes with the firing of an employee over a email. It shows a real lack of respect for employees and the maturity level of the superior.
Very good points Michael. As you stated it is a bad idea to fire someone through means of email. The process of firing an employee should be done in a face-to-face manner in order to properly let them know why they are being fired. Employees usually have questions on what they are doing wrong or if they can do something in order to be rehired.
ReplyDeleteThe other point that was made about trying to avoid personal contact is also true. This happens not only in the work place but also in the kids of today. Lots of kids have cell phones and computers and therefore communicate through text messaging and emails. This causes less face-to-face interaction and makes it harder for them to establish good communication skils.
Great points Mr. Bransma! I agree with you completely. People are making less and less personal interaction. If someone needed to contact someone else, weather it be to make a sale, or just to get in contact, when given the option to meet in person,call them or e-mail, most often people will choose e-mail. E-mail is the least personal form of communication, people tend to go this way because the more personal interaction needed, the more effort is needed to successful at communicating.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Mike. The termination of an employee is a highly formal situation and should be treated respectively. As both Tyler and Chad have stated, the use technology as a communication device is greatly decreasing the face to face, personal interaction that is so important in situations such as this.
ReplyDeleteThis technology is also leading to a lack of development of communication skills in today’s youth. While this cartoon portrays an exaggeration of the current situation, it is unsettling to consider that if the consistent decline of personal communication continues, this will soon be our reality.