I was fired via email — do I have a right to know why?

Hello. Welcome to the GoToGreg bot. I can answer most questions that you have in our automated system . . . I’m not making light of losing your job, just amplifying the effect of the lack of human touch that you describe. Many companies grew too quickly, betting that their financial performance would support the surge hiring, lavish pay and perks. And with such scale and remote dispersion across the globe, it’s difficult and time-consuming to have human interaction, since there are thousands of people that they want off of the payroll as soon as possible to start saving money as quickly as possible. It doesn’t feel great, it isn’t great and the impact on the culture and employer brand will be felt by surviving employees and potential new hires for years.

I work from home. I love my job, but it’s stressful, and I need my Marlboro Mediums to get me through the day. If I smoke a cigarette in my own home during the work day, is that a violation of company policy? What about if I’m smoking on a Zoom call?

I would question your choice of activity to relieve your stress. Carcinogenic sticks are not only a bad look but bad for your overall health — read the packaging. That said, whatever you do in your own home off camera is your own business. Once the camera is on, however, it’s showtime, baby — you are “at work,” and your employer has the right to regulate how you show up and engage wherever you are. So, all the things you wouldn’t do in a regular meeting, you shouldn’t do in a Zoom meeting, and that includes smoking, napping, boozing or chewing gum — my personal pet peeve because the cow-like chewing on camera is magnified so much that it should be accompanied by moo music.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Weds. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. E-mail: [email protected] Follow: GoToGreg.com and on
Twitter: @GregGiangrande