Legal Question in Employment Law in Rhode Island

Re: termination

Yes it is legal to fire someone over the phone or over a message machine. Of course while I find this to be in very poor taste, it is not illegal because RI is an employee at will state which means an employee can be terminated at any time with or without cause unless there is a written employment agreement/contract.

As far as what the employer can say to future prospective employers, the past employer can always say the truth. For example if a fired employee were caught stealing or engaging in any conduct that was injurious to the employers business that information could be given to the new employer. In my experience however most past employers just refuse to give a reference one way or the other and simply confirm that the person was a past employee. This usually sends a clear message, but is also perfectly legal for the past employer to do.