# When you're terminated, is it common to be escorted off the property by security? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 14, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645 "2010-07-14T11:28:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/41 "2010-07-14T19:08:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > This practise seems to have gained popularity with the growth of computers in the workplace. The process is intended to prevent sabotage by a disgruntled employee. Yeah. However, in relation to my story above of the manager and employee both being fired for essentially the same reason, that doesn’t make sense. a.) IT is notified before the firing. The employee no longer has access to anything other than the physical workstation. b.) The manager presumably has access to more sensitive areas and could do more damage than the employee, yet manager is unsupervised. I guess it’s assumed that the manager has a future career path to think of and won’t do anything irrational. The working stiff is probably already about to go postal. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/42 "2010-07-14T19:09:09Z")
I worked for a domain registrar (the first one, actually) and they planned to lay off several employees one day. The employees all had appointments with HR at the end of the day, though the reason hadn’t been given. However, just before the appointed time, there was an emergency evacuation\* and by the time it was all over with, HR had gone home. The next morning these employees came to work to find their ID cards would no longer let them in the building and their system logins no longer worked. Cold. * * * \*Remember the anthrax scares? Someone found white powder in the ladies’ room and called 911. Turned out to be white dust, an artifact of toilet paper manufacturing. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/43 "2010-07-14T22:15:07Z")
[Here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=480211) is another thread I started on a similar question. ---
**Author:** ![Fish\_Cheer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fish_cheer/32/17179_2.png) [@Fish\_Cheer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Cheer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/44 "2010-07-14T23:11:57Z")
What **Nava** and **tschild** said. In my experience, if security escorted you from your workplace in Germany, everybody would assume you had committed a crime. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/45 "2010-07-14T23:14:20Z")
I was escorted off the premises of my last job - so it isn’t entirely uncommon. I thought it was odd in this case, because I had known for weeks that I was being laid off - anything I was going to do or steal would have already been done or stolen. ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/46 "2010-07-14T23:32:34Z")
I was laid off once from a middle management position from a dot com. My boss was on vacation at the time the decision was made, and I was one of about 12 people canned that day. My old boss, who was also a VP, laid me off. The funny thing was, though this was an American company, he was British, so he wasn’t really sure what he was supposed to do since this was all new to him too. Honestly, he looked terrified and like he was going to cry. I got my own box and packed it while he uncomfortably watched, then he walked me out to my car, telling me how terribly sorry he was the whole way out. It was a pretty sweet layoff all things considered, because they gave us all our unpaid vacation, three months severance, and the use of an outplacement service on their dime. Over the next nine months, the company moved to cheaper office space, worked the remaining employees to death and then got rid of them in three progressive additional layoffs to the point where the last people out the door got nothing. My current (and old) bosses both left before they got canned, and the old boss who axed me gave me a glowing recommendation that got me a new job before the severance had even run out. I wish all unpleasantness in my life was…well, that pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Skinley\_Von\_Clipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Baron\_Skinley\_Von\_Clipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Skinley_Von_Clipper)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/47 "2010-07-15T00:35:11Z")
> [@Yarster](#): > > he was British, so he wasn’t really sure what he was supposed to do Absolutely correct, cos no one knows anything if they weren’t born in the wild west, on horseback, six shooter in hand.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/48 "2010-07-15T00:45:00Z")
> [@Uncommon\_Sense](#): > > Then the person is casually escorted off the premises so as not to cause a scene. Said person’s badges and passwords were deactivated on the way tot he HR meeting if not before. The entire song and dance os to prevent files and data from being destroyed or copied or both. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/49 "2010-07-15T00:52:14Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > In the UK and Sweden it is something that is seen as “an American thing”. I used to work in the video games industry in the UK. Being escorted off by security was common. I think because it’s an industry that treats people like crap and where a single disgruntled programmer could easily sabotage a project worth millions. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/50 "2010-07-15T01:46:36Z")
You have to actually HAVE Security in order for this to happen. I haven’t worked a lot of places with an actual Security department other than perhaps the rent-a-cops who work at the front desk. When I did work Security and people were fired, they were usually escorted out the door by their bosses, who then instructed us not to allow them back in. We were not involved. When I was suspended from a Security job (and later fired under false pretenses), I was escorted off the property by two management people (retired cops), all as a show. I found it more laughable than the intimidation they were going for. When I worked Armored and a guy was fired, he was simply refused entrance when he came in one morning (you had to be buzzed in) and had to wait until the boss came out (with someone else right inside the door holding a shotgun just in case) and informed him that he was being fired. But of course, that guy known as a complete nutjob and was being fired for carrying a concealed weapon in a bar (illegal) while drunk (more illegal) in Wisconsin, which doesn’t allow concealed carry anyway (three strikes in one go - fired for a felony arrest). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/51 "2010-07-15T02:06:48Z")
My last job they laid off 53 people in 2 days … I actually was a telecommuter, and worked using my own laptop. I went in for my one day a month in the office, and got called into a meeting, we discussed my termination package, and I handed over my passfob and VPN fob, and I was let wander out on my own. It took me about 2 minutes to pack my laptop back in the case, say goodbye to my various co-worker friends and leave. They told me that I could keep any office supplies I had at home, so I scored a calculator, a stapler, a few reams of paper, 7 various sized notebooks and pads and assorted writing implements. And I got a whole day of pay out of working for 2 hours…they did that because I had a 100 mile round trip home to office and back. All together a very amicable separation. The job previous to that was very odd. State Farm decided after hiring my training class to close the Cheshire call center. We started in September, and the call center was being closed in March. Some people bailed out immediately, others took the option of sticking it out to the very end, and a few of us ended up like me, I got sent to one of the satellite offices to staff it while they moved the agents out into their own offices. I was actually offered the option of being moved to the Texas call center at the same wage as in CT. I turned it down because mrAru still had 3 years left on his enlistment. In retrospect I really should have accepted the transfer, as I would have been making $16/hour and the typical wage in the Texas office was IIRC $9/hour. I was one of the absolute last CS to leave … no walking out or anything like that. I actually have as my agent the last agent from the office that got an office =) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/52 "2010-07-15T02:13:28Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Previous job: Person being fired would be given a box and allowed to pack up their own things, under supervision, but by their manager rather than someone from Security. They would also hand their access badge over to the manager, who would then escort them out of the building.. Right, no security but a manager. OTOH, note that it is increasing common to do this for a employee who has resigned or given notice. That upon notice, the final check is drawn up (usually but not always with the notice period included), and the employee is asked to leave on the spot. It has been _requested_ by other board members that OP’s not put profanity in thread **titles**. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/53 "2010-07-15T02:27:30Z")
At my office, one of the last two people to be laid off was escorted out, but that’s because he was a dick to the department manager. Otherwise, he’d’ve been allowed to walk out on his own. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/54 "2010-07-15T02:35:44Z")
The last time I got laid off, they gave me six weeks notice and a really nice severance. I spent the last month training the three people (!) who were assuming my responsibilities. On my last day, the department took me out to lunch. When I came back, I made the rounds saying goodbye to everyone and handed my id to my boss, then boogied. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/55 "2010-07-15T05:12:03Z")
Lehman Brothers Hong Kong 8@28& 1996. S3&?4&24 “p12&3@?6 p”’@8( +&- +$1? 3$1 1,p’"(11 '153 5"2 ')?8$m an underling such as myself would go through their desk and box up anything personal. HR shut off the badge/ door access. When the employee came back from lunch, HR met them at the door and escort them to a separate HR location. employee was NEVER allowed back on the trading floor. when LB whacked me, I got a call to go to HR for some made up issue. Walked in and my boss was there. lightbulb moment. got my severance offer, refused to sign, went back and forth for a week while not at work, and they sweetened it by 10k ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/56 "2010-07-15T05:53:12Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > At my previous place of employment terminated employees were led by security to their desks to collect their possessions which were placed in a garbage bag and zip-tied shut. The employee was then led to the roof of the building where they had a large cannon. The bag was placed in the cannon first and the terminated employee was given the courtesy of chosing which direction the cannon pointed. Security then assisted the employee into the cannon feet first and then proceeded to promptly fire them off the property. > After noise complaints from the surrounding businesses surfaced they were forced to dismantle the cannon and purchased a second-hand giant slingshot. > Not nearly as accurate nor does it have the range but it does the trick. Something sounds fishy here… hh ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/57 "2010-07-15T07:46:47Z")
I was terminated from my last company. While I was in HR, IT shut off badge and computer access and when we were finished, I was escorted by my manager to my desk, where security had a box waiting for me to pack my personal posessions. I was escorted to my vehicle. My current company has a similar process, as do most of the tech or food processing places that I’ve worked in the past 15 years. Should I decide to leave, once I turned in my two week notice, I would go through my exit interview, be cut a check for any unused PTO time and the two weeks, turn in my badge and parking placard, be escorted to my desk to pack, then walked to my car by security. I believe that this is pretty standard for my position in the industry. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/58 "2010-07-15T07:53:16Z")
> [@Yarster](#): > > though this was an American company, he was British, so he wasn’t really sure what he was supposed to do since this was all new to him too. > [@Baron\_Skinley\_Von\_Clipper](#): > > Absolutely correct, cos no one knows anything if they weren’t born in the wild west, on horseback, six shooter in hand.:rolleyes: The process is different in different locations, **Baron** ; the important part is the one I underlined and which you’d left out. An American boss who fired someone in Spain or Germany and tried to follow what’s a very-common process in America would be up for a personal suit (as well as putting the company in a very bad situation). The information that needs to be given to ex-workers in different locations is also different: in Spain there is no COBRA, no benefits running out… you need to know how long will you be working and what happens with any vacation you haven’t taken (will they want you to take it or will they pay it as overtime?) but that’s it, so a boss that was from Spain would have had to ask “what do I need to tell him?” ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Skinley\_Von\_Clipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Baron\_Skinley\_Von\_Clipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Skinley_Von_Clipper)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/59 "2010-07-15T10:26:18Z")
Ok, point taken. my comment was a little flippant and I apologise for that. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645/60 "2010-07-15T17:00:28Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I should add - In Canada, AFAIK (IANAL) if they have cause to fire you and let you keep working after they know of the incident, then their grounds for firing you get pretty weak. Well, yeah, they were; that’s why I said “unjust cause.” Maybe more accurately I should have said, “It was a bullshit firing.” 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-youre-terminated-is-it-common-to-be-escorted-off-the-property-by-security/546645.md?page=4)