Hey, how did you get inside of my head and read my mind. I feel it is also a "double standard". I think Eliot Spitzer should have been made to give 2 weeks notice before he could quit. So much for "At Will" employment. Employers will always have the upper hand it seems. That is why this world is so evil.

...And yet the one time that I chose to sever ties with the employer, when I gave my 2 weeks notice, they no longer trusted me to do my job, and so asked me to quit immediately. Go figure.

Pfft. Let 'em fire me. Then I'll collect unemployment from their butts.

I think the two week notice is for when you leaving under good circumstances, like a move to another state or retire. When you are leaving because you hate your job, it isn't as clear cut.

Not fair but you don't want to burn bridges.....you might need a reference some day

First, an employers ability to fire you for any reason depends on what state you are. Are you in a Right to Work state or an At Will state? Secondly, while, yes, you may dependent on a paychek, the employer is dependent on MANY things to keep a business functioning. MOST employers won't fire you without cause. They may let you go because they can't afford to keep you, they have had to re-organize or they have had something unexpected happen. But firing you would usually be based on, at least, a lack of performance or a perception that you are not meeting their expectations. As for your "requirement" to give two weeks notice - it is a courteousy. Some large companies make you sign an agreement that says that if you fail to provide notice, you will not be re-hirable. But it is not illegal for you to leave without notice. Employers base future business plans, payroll budgets and labor scheudling based on the expectation that you will be there. Chaos ensues for the entire department or, in the case of small businesses, the entire business when one person quits without notice. There is a significant investment of company money that goes in to the hiring and training process. It is not easy to replace personnel at a moments notice. I am not defending irresponsible employers who take advantage of employees, but I don't think this is a matter of a "level" playing feild - the two sides have different obligations and investments.

Well when you quit, there is no compensation, it is your decision.....when you get fired you get severance pay 4%....so you can leave rigth away.....your 2-weeks notice would cover that....

it's not even when you think everything is going great they will still fire you and never think twice but if you quite without notice they cry like babies. I look out for number one

Well, if you knew your last day was in 2 weeks, would you bother doing as good a job as you had been doing? Or if you were given a 2-week notice that you were being fired for slacking off, would you work harder? then what, are you un-fired? is that fair, if they've already taken applications to fill your spot? Really, it's probably rare to be fired without expecting it. How can you not notice the company is sinking, that you're the last person into the office and the first to leave, that everyone else works faster, whatever? Even if you're being fired because the boss hates you, how did you not notice that?

It is unfair. If I feel I am being taken advantage of I quit on the spot. Especially, I I don't think they appreciate my work-therefore they would be a poor reference. Otherwise, if I got a better opportunity and my employer was good to me...I wouldn't mind giving notice. I wouldn't want to leave them hanging.

It's not supposed to be even. Your employer has FAR more invested and at risk then you do. Sounds like you think you have some kind of right to work or something. You don't.

It's not fair I agree but as someone also stated, the employer has more invested in the business than you. If you're being fired, chances are you're not just not performing but your actions are also probably counter productive, offensive, illegal etc. If you're given notice, who's to say you won't try to "get one over" before you leave. This could be stealing company property, steal money or just do some damage. If you give your two weeks notice, chances are the leaving of your job is amiable.

I never thought of that, you're absolutely right! That isn't fair now is it. If we have to give them notice, they should give us notice too.

You can quit at any time - if you work in a state that has " at will" employment. Your on an equal playing field, but no ones going to call YOU for a reference on your previous employer. 2 Weeks allows the company to adjust to your absense - it's the polite thing to do for an employer/relationship you value.

Just a comment, not a criticsm. If you were a small business owner you might feel differently about the employee/ employer relationship. Employers invest time, money, and their dreams into their businesses. They can get left high and dry by employees who don't show up, quit, and steal from them. Just food for thought.