Two weeks notice

[Alexandra813]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

I am currently employed full time at an insurance company. Last week I was offered a job working for Veterans Administration, and was asked if I could start at the beginning of the next pay period which was yesterday 7/21. I told them I had to speak with my current supervisor to see how much notice he would need before I could leave. My supervisor stated that he required 2 weeks notice.
I told him that I would end my employment with the company as of August 1st. I also informed my new supervisor that I could start on the 4th, the beginning of the following pay period.
Yesterday, my current supervisor came to me and said "We're gonna go ahead and make Friday your last day since it's the end of the pay period."
I explained that I had already confirmed my start date at my new job, and that if I didn't work through next week, I would have to choose between paying bills, eating and gas to get to work, due to the fact that I will not receive my first paycheck from VA until at least August 22nd. My last paycheck from my current company will be this Friday July 25th.
He simply said, "No, the paperwork is easier if you leave at the end of the pay period, and I don't like people hanging around that long after they give their notice."
Basically, I'm getting screwed out of a paycheck, and I want to know if I have any kind of legal recourse. Had I known he did not really require the two weeks, I could have started yesterday at the new job. Now I have to find a way to make $400 last an entire month.
Please help.

 

[Zigner]

Your (former) boss chose to accept your resignation earlier than you anticipated - nothing wrong there.

You didn't HAVE to give 2 weeks notice.

 

[ecmst12]

Crappy thing for him to do, but not illegal. Call the new employer and see if you can start earlier.

 

[Alexandra813]

My boss told me I had to give two weeks or they'd terminate me. The company hasn't been doing terribly well, and they're looking for any reason to fire people.
And I can't start earlier at the new job.

 

[Zigner]

My boss told me I had to give two weeks or they'd terminate me. The company hasn't been doing terribly well, and they're looking for any reason to fire people.
And I can't start earlier at the new job.

So, you had a new job lined up.
You wanted to quit on the 20th. Your boss said you HAD to give two weeks notice or he'd terminate you. Now, you don't have a job (and it's the 22nd). So, how are you in any better of a position?

I'm not sure I see what the problem with them "terminating" you would have been.
Furthermore, if you had given notice at the end of the day that you were leaving the next day, they COULDN'T terminate you, since you would already have quit.

 

[Alexandra813]

So, you had a new job lined up.
You wanted to quit on the 20th. Your boss said you HAD to give two weeks notice or he'd terminate you. Now, you don't have a job (and it's the 22nd). So, how are you in any better of a position?

I'm not sure I see what the problem with them "terminating" you would have been.
Furthermore, if you had given notice at the end of the day that you were leaving the next day, they COULDN'T terminate you, since you would already have quit.

I've 'quit' before and my boss said I was terminated. I didn't find that out until I was disqualified for a job because it looked like I lied about it.
Anyway, thanks for the help, I guess I'm just SOL