[ksimukka]

I really don’t understand this approach to employment in the US.

A employer should be able to talk with an employee about issues or notify them with with reasonable time that their position is changing.

I know at least that I prefer to work in those kind of environments. I prefer to be approached and trusted with the information (good or bad).

Otherwise, how can we even work effectively as a business?

OPs situation does seem challenging and if the employee really needs to be fired for cause, then why prolong the inevitable?