I was fired on the spot!
I got an offer for a better job that starts early next month and so like that respectful employee I am I let my boss know at least 2 weeks before that I will be resigning. I specifically timed this because I knew I couldn't lose my work benefits before March since there would be trouble (long story, wife needs surgery and can't let insurance lapse). That was obviously a mistake because my boss said that they don't employ quitters and said I could leave right away if I was going to quit. Is this legal and if so is there anything I can do? I can't lose benefits before the end of the month!
Two week's notice is the professional thing to do. One month if you're in upper management or the c-suite. But you really need to learn how your company, and your boss in particular, handles these things. Some bosses feel that keeping an employee that is leaving is bad for morale, so they may ask them to not say to anyone they are leaving while they ride out their notice period (a very old fashioned approach), others are vindictive SOBs that retaliate by immediately firing the employee. If you work for an SOB and want to avoid the latter, you may want to turn your notice to HR instead of your boss. At the end of the day, you work for the company, not for your boss per se. And while HR cannot totally prevent vindictive firing, they will probably advise your manager against it.
Did you put your notice in writing? I believe they have to pay you for thise 2 weeks. It's not uncommon for an unprofessional organization to do something like this, unfortunately
I can't help that!
If you gave written notice ..they have to pay you until that date with coverage , as they are choosing to end the relationship ahead of time
If you are in Texas it is at will state so when you have your 2 weeks they can say you are no longer needed.
Well first you call the company you have the health ins.with and found out do they have a continuous plan and go from there
I would go back to your respected boss and ask him could he give you another chance, Let him know you are not a quitter, but you need time on your previous job to stay put until your wife have her surgery due to health insurance coverage, could he and you work out a schedule whereby you could work part time for awhile until your situation changes, don't quit this job you just got. Pray for your new boss trust. God to give you favor with him, God is with you , He will help you be humble and gracious when you go to him .
Call the board of labor.
First, your need to check with your insurance company. Most offer a 'grace period' and don't immediately cancel your coverage, giving you time to transition to your new job. Second, giving an employer a two week notice of resignation, in most states, does not obligate that employer to keep them on for those two weeks. Yes, it is a COURTESY - one that I believe we should all exercise as employees - providing the employer with time to hire and train someone to replace us so as not to damage their business. But there are times when that won't work for an employer or an employee, as when the resigning employee is responsible for critical/security data and systems or when the employee needs to start a new job immediately or risk losing the opportunity.
Legally, in a Right-to-Work state like mine here in TN, employees are not required to provide a reason for quitting, can quit at any time, or aren't required to provide or serve out any kind of notice. By the same token, employers are free to fire or let employees go at any time, without providing a reason or cause, and to decline to accept an offer to serve out a notice.
The sad truth is that this is the unhealthy, anti-worker environment in which many Americans are now living: Workers are often considered no more than 'disposable assets' existing only to serve an employer's business interests with little or no regard for their humanity.
And it sounds like you have been working for a real jerk! These kinds of clowns see your effort to improve yourself and your life as a blow to THEM. You are not, in fact, a 'quitter' but really smart to get away from this an employer who didn't deserve you. Best of luck with everything!