Resign before getting fired...

Resigned Advantage: Never been terminated (fired) from previous employment
Resigned Disadvantage: Not entitled to unemployment benefits; some company gives this option to the employee to avoid paying unemployment
Employment termination (fired) Advantages: Unemployment benefits, also possible, can file lawsuits against the employer for wrongful termination (whatever evidences support your case, such as racial discrimination, retaliation, etc.)
Employment termination (fired) Disadvantage: You might be required to disclose involuntary termination by previous employer(s) to prospective employers that might hinder you from getting a job.

Most of the time, new employers don't require you to disclose employment termination. One of my previous managers got into a flight with his employee, and they both got terminated. They both got new jobs within a month.

 

He was a first-year teacher. That year will prove to be, I think and hope, his last. This jerk obviously doesn't know enough about the educational system to stay out of trouble. With the DCS involvement, the investigation and the lawsuit, I'd be very surprised (flabbergasted) if his teaching certificate isn't on its way to permanent revocation already. It certainly should be. I smell likely criminal charges here, in the near future.

It appears he wasn't offered a choice - quit or be fired. He resigned of his own accord halfway through the meeting, in a (likely unsuccessful) move to save his butt. That is one butt that doesn't deserve to be saved -- and I don't think it will be.

 

That's a different situation. Adults behaving like children -- but no children present -- none hurt. I'm OK with the outcome - they were lucky. I hope it taught them both a lesson. And unlike the education system - those two had no teaching certificates to lose.

But this other guy, the teacher.... блядь!

 

If your employer intends to fire you, as opposed to a layoff or some such, you're probably better off working somewhere else anyway. Hanging onto a job in what is surely a toxic environment cannot be good for you and it might be dangerous to your professional future. I'd try to leave on my own terms as much as possible.

There are some kinds of firing that you should think hard about resisting, firings that might be illegal for one reason or another. Talk to an employment lawyer if you think that might be the case.

It is possible to quit and still be eligible for unemployment compensation but the circumstances are unusual. Again, talk to a lawyer.

 

Another thing to consider. If after careful thought and reflection, you think maybe you should be fired, resign and do it now. I'm not talking about gross incompetence or criminal charges. I mean if you realize you just aren't built to be a good employee. If that's the case, think about working for yourself.

That's where the money is, generally.

 

If one thinks they are about to be fired, then if they are not already looking, it would be smart to look for employment.
It takes time to find a job, so while employed start looking, prepare for alternate generation of income.
My good friend was working for a major company, he was a contractor for a year, and then they converted him to full-time employee, he was getting excellent reviews and enjoyed working there until the management changed, and new managers were from overseas, they started bringing their own people as it happens in many places.
He frequently complained to me about how the culture changed, how workers from overseas on work visas take place of the employees in his team, he was "the last of the Mohicans" and knew that soon his place will be given to another overseas employee and his work will be terminated. He did use the company tuition assistance and gained new skills and graduate degree from TX A&M. It was hard to find new employment but when he was finally terminated, he wasn't starting from scratch, he had interviews and already did all the prep work etc.
Still took him 4 months to land another job.
He persevered, didn't resign, so was able to collect unemployment benefits while looking for a job

I think, a little bit of paranoia is a good thing, it may help with job security by being ready.

 

I'm always surprised at the situations that do and don't meet the "for cause" designation.

I regularly see situations where someone was clearly fired for sub-par performance but they get unemployment even in ruby red Iowa, and the occasional person who lets absolutely terrible things into the public record by trying to get unemployment when they absolutely don't deserve it (e.g. nurses fired for abusing patients.)