Hey Pete - I am not a lawyer by any stretch, but I think I know something of what you're talking about. Most companies I've encountered have something called "at-will" employment. Usually they say something about it in the fine print on the application. It means there is no contract, written or implied, between the employer and employee, and either side can legally end employment without notice.

Most companies want notice because it leaves them in a bind to lose employees. A new employee must be found and trained, and this costs money and productivity. There's no reason they can stop you from quitting and walking out, because of the at-will employment agreed on at hiring. But they do hold a little leverage, in saying they will not rehire people that quit and walk out, and they will pull this out when employees just threaten to quit.

I think I had to put two weeks notice in the last time I quit a job, which was there at the call center. Well, I briefly quit working for the state, but the state does not use at-will employment, and didn't consider me to have quit during the four days I didn't show up. Oh well, I guess it let me come back.

I didn't know you had a blog. It seems like the last time I saw you and asked about it, you didn't seem interested in starting one. Nice to see what you are up to.