Common courtesy seems to be dead everywhere. If an employee decides to take another job, it’s common courtesy to give at least a week’s notice. Likewise, if an employee is fired, it’s common courtesy to give a reason.
For one thing, you can’t improve yourself if you don’t know why you were let go. Was it just company downsizing, and had nothing to do with you? Or did it have everything to do with you?
You don’t have to give a reason and many times it is better not to. If it is a layoff of a large number of people, you could say “you do great work, the company is downsizing and many positions are being eliminated but we’ll give you a great recommendation” etc. But if you are firing an individual, better to say as little as possible. Do it fast, quick, and then be quiet. Let them rant if they must but just listen. Don’t say things like “this is hard for me” because it is far worse for the person being fired.
Most of the time I’ve had to fire someone it’s because they are no good or they cause problems or there is a personality conflict and I had to decide which person to keep for the sake of peace. In those cases, definitely can’t tell them why it will only be more hurtful and cause more drama.
Ah but I do agree, it is discourteous to fire someone and cut off their income totally in one fell swoop. I always gave at least two weeks’ pay, sometimes more depending on the person, tenure, and position.