And she probably had to pay 10 cents to receive it

LONDON (AFP) - A company has defended its decision to fire one of its staff by text message, claiming it was keeping in touch with youth culture.

Katy Tanner, a 21-year-old sales assistant, received the message while she was off work with a migraine, the South Wales Echo newspaper said Friday.

The text message said: "We will not require your services anymore...Thank you for your time with us."

"I don't think it's right to just text someone. At least they should have talked to me face to face," Tanner said.

"You're not allowed to text in sick, you have to phone. The fact that they texted me is a bit of double standards."

Ouch. That is sort of cold. The worst I usually get is: "Running late be there in half hour!" Sometimes with a frowny face.