Is it legal for a company to fire someone after they put in a two week notice?

The company I work for just did this to one of my co-workers. They are a young company run by a 20-year old guy without a high school diploma and they do alot of things that most would consider unethical. I am worried because I want to leave the company as well, but I am afraid that if I put in a notice, that they will fire me before my last day as well. I haven't done anything to warrant being fired, but neither did my former co-worker. To make matters worse, the company manages the apartment complex where I live. I am afraid of what they might try to do to mess with me if I leave! A week ago they made all the employees that live in the complex sign a document stating that they could be made to vacate the premises for any reason at any time. Is that even legal? I refused to sign. I've only been here a month and apparently the turnover at this company is off the charts. What should I do??

If you are not a contract employee, your employer can dismiss you at any point. Just because you give a 2 week notice does not mean the company can't say, "Just go now." It happens all the time and is perfectly legal.

yes, you can be fired at anytime for any reason or no reason at all
good luck

First off, most all employees are at will employees which means they can be let go for any reason or even if they don't have a reason, with no repercussions 2nd if that is the policy of that company, you can do like I did, wait until you find another job and are ready to quit and then put in your notice. I too worked for a company with a high turnover and after leaving realized that there are reasons that happens. My advice, get out while you can.... and that goes for the apartment too.

The job may not be protected, especially if you live in a "right to work" State. The apartment is another story. If you have a lease or rental agreement, they would have a problem forcing you out if you were not violating the lease. The document, I believe, is illegal but, if signed, may be able to be upheld.

Obviouly this bozo has no idea how to run a company. You won't like much of what I have to say.

An employer in an "at will" state has the right to fire you at any time for any reason, or no reason at all. If he fires you for not signing the paper, you are eligible for unemployment.

You need to get another job, right away. Get out and start looking.

He obviously has a boss somewhere, so find out who that is. The reason he wants you to sign the form is that he wants to be able to rent your apartment and kick you out when he pleases. He probably gets a commission each time he re-rents an apartment.

He cannot evict you without cause, usually non-payment, and he cannot just tell you "leave by Friday". That is against the law. He has to file eviction papers, and state that cause in court. If he falsifies the document, he is subject to prosecution.

1) Find a new job
2) Give notice, with a copy to his boss, and a copy to your state's labor relations bureau. Send by registered letter, and reference at the bottom who else you have copied. If you know a lawyer, send him a copy and refernece him, too.
3) Refuse to be bullied out of your home. If he tells you to leave, refuse. He can't call the police, because without having a court issued eviction notice, they'll just laugh at him.

This is a complicated problem and the first thing you should do is get another job.

Yes. Even large corporations do it if they believe the employee is going to work for a competitor.

Just as the company is not required to keep you for two weeks, you are not required to give two weeks notice either. Looks like this company is going to burn your bridges whether or not you politely give two weeks. So, either be prepared to not give notice, or be ready to leave sooner than two weeks.

The apartment thing is a separate matter, unless the company is subsidizing the rent for its employees and there was some agreement to this effect. Otherwise they are bound by the same landlord-tennant laws as anyone else.

While legally speaking there is nothing you can do about the employment, if they try to muscle or unduly coerce you out of your lease agreement you should contact an attorney.