How to Manage When Parents Call in for Information on their Children

APR 08, 2021

Question:

 

The parents of a recently terminated employee have called us several times asking us why their son was fired. Are we required to discuss the matter with them?

No, you have no obligation to explain to them why their son’s employment was terminated, and we would not recommend doing so. If you decide to respond so they’ll stop calling you, you can emphasize that you don’t discuss employment matters with anyone except the employee. You can tell them that their son can reach out to you himself if he has additional questions about his termination.

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Kim has held many Senior level HR positions including VP of HR and Administration for a California-based Workers’ Compensation TPA, Director of HR for a benefit and risk management company, and board positions with a professional insurance association. Kim spends her free time tracking down her grown sons.