Comment by znowi

Firing someone is never a pretty business. You can't expect it to go smooth and rational. This is a stressful moment for any employee. The least, as a manager, you could do is give them a sense of dignity and comfort by delivering the news in person. Yes, it may be uncomfortable for you, or people may talk crap behind your back, but this is where your qualities as a leader are tested. Let them speak out, process their grief. It's not about you, it's them whose lives are about to change. Them who have to bring the bad news home. Give them some slack. My advice is to worry less about your image and more about people you manage.