'Callous' Zoom sackings on rise

‘Callous’ Zoom sackings on rise: Nearly a third of managers have dismissed someone by video call or are aware of a colleague doing so

Zoom sackings are so widespread nearly a third of managers have dismissed someone by video call or are aware of a colleague doing so.

The findings in a Chartered Management Institute survey for the Daily Mail come after ferry operator P&O provoked fury by axing 800 workers via a Zoom video to replace them with cheap agency staff.

It found 29 per cent of managers had axed someone via video call or knew of a colleague doing so. 

The Chartered Management Institute said a rise in video call sackings comes despite the 'reputational risk' of poorly-handled dismissal procedures (picture posed by model)

The Chartered Management Institute said a rise in video call sackings comes despite the ‘reputational risk’ of poorly-handled dismissal procedures (picture posed by model) 

Anthony Painter, CMI director of policy said: ‘Firing staff by Zoom is callous and shows a complete lack of empathy. Letting staff go may be a commercial necessity for P&O but there can be no justification for doing it in this way.

‘This is an example of woeful management and a failure in leadership that belongs in a different economic age.’

He added: ‘In the past two years, many organisations have seen the most rapid changes to how we work in memory. Yet, CMI data shows that less than a third of managers in a hybrid or virtual working environment have received training on managing remote workers.

‘Managers know that providing empathetic and practical support in challenging circumstances, a situation that all managers will face at some point, is important.

‘It is also crucial that they have the skills and knowledge of good practice when approaching difficult conversations. This applies whether face-to-face or via video call.’

source: dailymail.co.uk