> My question, or topic for discussion, is this: What do you think would be a proper or "better" way for the company to explain things to the rest of the employees besides telling us that he is no longer employed here? Just curious if anyone has any thoughts.

Well, my thoughts are, what else can the company say?

Not so long ago I was under contract to a firm for six months and the guy I assisting was found to be perusing the wrong sort of websites on the company's connection and time. (Nothing to do with me, I hasten to add, he was at it for three months before I got there). He was escorted off the building in much the same way as your former colleague. I knew that much because I eefectively took over his job for those six months.

The pertinent point is that an emailshot then went round saying, "Person X has been dismissed as of Date Y, due to gross abuse of the internet." It then went on to remind staff what internet policy was and such. It gave no personal details beyond the date of dismissal and the reasons why. No name or job title were given. I only knew because I was given the job and had the details quietly explained to me by the boss.

I think it was the best way to do it and spared the poor guy some embarrassment. He would have had to go home and tell his wife why he was canned, never mind trying to find another job.

I think this was the way to do it if only for the rights of the individual. If the circumstances directly affect other staff, (Like someone had been robbing the pension fund, for example), then the rest of the staff should be informed, but otherwise, just let them know he's gone and leave it at that.