Unless there is a medical emergency or an employee's actions pose a threat to other employees, you should not terminate an employee by phone. If, however, there is an urgent need to discuss termination or if the situation necessitates it, then you can either revoke an offer of employment or give an employee notice of termination if the two of you are in the same location. If the situation does not allow for an in-person meeting, then you should discuss termination by phone only if you have already confirmed that the employee understands they may be terminated over the phone and has waived his or her right to have the conversation face-to-face. Additionally, you should err on the side of caution and seek professional advice before deciding to terminate by phone.