To do this over email?

I’d much rather an email if it were me… lets me read it and absorb at my own pace and have my emotions before responding.

I think email is fine too. I have had plenty of emails with refusals from job applications, even following interviews.

Ive also seen contracts cancelled over email. You can always email first and then call if needed. That way, she’s not blindsided

You definitely need to speak with her to discuss and outstanding payments and last working day etc.

I think you should email to tell her you need a meeting with her, and then tell her verbally. Anything else feels rude to me. If you book a call with her she will know something is up anyway so it won't be a total surprise. But I do think this kind of thing should be done either in person or on a call.

I've been on both sides of this, so it's coming from a place of experience.

It’s business, not a breakup. It’s perfectly acceptable to do this via email if that’s most comfortable to you. As the recipient of also rather receive it via email to avoid an awkward situation.

It’s her line of work, she has to accept people will take her in and relieve her of her services as the need takes them. It’s not personal.

Email is less awkward for both of you. It also gives you a paper trail if ever needed. I wouldn't want a personal "chat" with you if you were laying me off.

100% This!

I'd be gutted to be told this over the phone.

A well written email is much better, then a phrase saying that if you want to talk it through, let me know a convenient time to call you.

I think it's better to call, but the best thing would be to do it in person when she is in the office, unless there is any real reason not to. It's much more 'human' than an email.

I would prefer an email.

Personally I think it’s more professional to call. You say she was rubbish but you never know who she speaks to, what circles she moves in and you don’t want her to bad mouth you or the family business you’ve found yourself in.

In your circumstances where you’re loathed to call, maybe give her the one call and if it goes to voicemail or she doesn’t pick up, then send the email, stating that “ you were sorry to not catch her on the phone to enable the chat about it”.

Even if you do call her, still follow up with an email.

of course if you’re not bothered about ever seeing her again (even bumping into her in Sainsbury’s!) and you don’t care about the professional outlook or what she says either about you or to others , just send the email.

i do understand what you mean about loathing the phone (my school when through a stage of offering parent consultations over the phone and I used to feel sick at the thought of it, let alone doing it…I’m a much better “face to face “ person!) but sometimes you just have to put your big girl pants on and do it!!! Tbh you wrote quite well in your original post what the issue is and how you’ve now dispersed ithe job amongst other people, you really don’t need to say much more than that. Tbh you’ll feel elated once you’ve done it!

My instinct as a manager was to say phone call or face to face meeting.

But my instinct as a person would be saying nooooo I would not want to receive a call like that and I would much rather have an email and manage my feelings in private!

I suggest using your own judgement as to what is right for the sort of person she is (rather than your own preferences, sorry).

If you are going to do the email route I suggest keep it brief and to the point and state something like "I appreciate you may like a call to discuss feedback, handover etc and I will of course arrange that at a time that suits you. I can do Weds morning or all day Thursday. If you would prefer not to have a call then that is of course fine." She probably won't want a call but the offer gives the interaction a bit more humanity.

Self-employed/contractor here- it is very common for clients to terminate your services for a whole host of reasons, and it's even more common to get an email about it. As others have said, you're not her boss and she's not your employee.

You don't need to go into details, just say you've reassessed and don't require her services anymore. If she's self-employed this will not be a thing for her at all, it happens all the time.

You are paying for a service. It’s perfectly acceptable to send an email. She is not your Employee.

Surely this should be face to face!

I'm not sure what the done thing is in the industry you work in, but I'd prefer to be told over email and then follow up with a phone call if necessary. It's like being told you haven't got a job over the phone and then being given feedback and asked if you have any questions on the spot, it's awful. At least if you email first, she has had the initial news that you are terminating privately rather than you telling her directly and if she does want a chat she has time to think about what she's going to say. This probably goes against all etiquette in business, I'd prefer it though.

I think an email is ok. Whilst a call is thought to be better in these situations, if I was on the receiving end, I think might rather get the email to be honest.

What does the contract say about termination of the agreement?

That is much worse for the recipient than a kind and professional email

Sometimes the difficult thing isn't actually the right thing.

Email and offer a phone call. Let her process and formulate questions. I've done both in the past - different policies at work - and email is absolutely fine.

A lot of people would be hurt by email. Others would prefer it, try and do what you think she would be most comfortable with.

Email - as the recipient, I would far rather an email where my immediate reaction is private and theres the opportunity to call to discuss further if I want to.

I'd also (as she isn't an employee) just tell her you no longer have the budget for her services, you're taking it in-house.

If she was an employee I would think potentially you'd owe it to her to give her the opportunity to learn from her mistakes (unless you already have and she hasn't done so) but thats not her role.

I agree.

Email is fine, I’d prefer that, maybe with an offer of a call? If she is gen Y age-ish, she probably wont pick up calls anyway 😄. Loads I know that age group would be horrified at the thought of taking a phone call on their mobile!

If she was employed I would call her or get her in for a meeting but for self employed I think email is fine

I’d email. If it was me I wouldn’t want to be put on the spot like that. Emailing and then suggesting a call should she want it gives her time to reflect. It also provides an audit trail for you to evidence exactly what was said.

This is the answer.