[WirelessGigabit]

Not only that. I'm assuming that in Norway you have a notice period which is tied to how long you work there.

Not the case here.

I could sign a mortgage Monday and be laid off Tuesday.

So then my income and insurance just stop.

Companies have no obligation to give you notice. Anything they do is literally out of the good of their PR people. Some states require payout of accrued vacation days (notice the government doesn't mandate any amount of vacation days, it's all up to negotiation).

Then you can go on unemployment, but for some reason it's capped in amount per month, so even if I make $200,000/year, which after taxes becomes $11,000/month. I live in a HCOL, my unemployment would be ~$450/week, so ~ $2,000/month. Which is less than my rent. And I pay A LOT of taxes.

[Manheim]

Sounds like things are broken.

We have a minimum notice period of three months in Norway, and many have a contract that give them more than that. This is a mutual obligation, so if you want to quit your job for a new one, you will have to stay in your current for the notice period.

How much unemployment support you get depends on your salary level, and it has an upper cap, but it should be sufficient enough to keep you floating while you seek for a new job. It is not a sleeping pillow, though. You do not get a full compensation.

You get the support until you get a new job or for 12 months. If you are still without a job after 12 months you can apply for another 12 months period. If you are not able to get a new job within this period you will have to rely on other types of public support if you are entitled to any of them.

You might think that this would lead to people not wanting to get a new job immediately. However, the unemployment rate is currently at 3,4 percent.

[zamnos]

California, where Google is headquartered, has the WARN act, which kicks in in for big layoffs (> 10%), which requires 60 days notice to affected employees. So sign mortgage on Monday, laid off 2 months from Tuesday.

[Manheim]

I think that's a reasonable act, but it should be a general act not only for big layoffs. Loosing your job is the same whether you are alone or part of a larger group.

Laws are relative to the society they regulate, but I believe the important thing is to give employees at least a minimum of time to get a new job. I also like the mutual obligation connected to the notice requirements we have in Norway. Also companies needs time to replace people when someone quits.