Can really understand why you and a lot of folks quit on the spot or want to quit without notice.

However, for most jobs you will require a reference preferably from a previous employer.
So if you quit without notice you probably will not get any reference or a poor reference.
This could mean finding another job will be difficult.

As for those who are "fired on the spot" without any previous warnings etc., there is legal recourse through the Labour Standards Act or if in a union through them.

Nice rant. Clearly, you are unacquainted with even a rudimentary working knowledge of employment law. Also, you are confusing process with result. If an employer terminates an employee without cause, then it/he/she is liable for damages. If there was cause, then an employee can be fired at will. An employer can also fire an employee without cause, but sufficient working notice must be given or payment in lieu of notice. Employees also owe their employees a mutual duty of notice. Thus, the obligation to give notice to an employer. Two weeks? You must be a very low-level employee. But, that makes sense given your ignorance of basic civil law.

With some specific exceptions, employees that are terminated without cause are entitled to severance based on time employed.

http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/facshts/termination.htm

IANAL.

When a company fires you, they can ask you to leave immediately, but they still have to pay you for the period of the minimum notice (ie two weeks). This is so the employee doesn't suffer as much of a financial shock.

When an employee quits, a minimum two weeks notice likewise reduces the operations shock to the employer and lets them transfer knowledge and skills.

See the symmetry? It isn't fair in either side to give zero notice of losing income, or skills and labour.

And yes an organization isn't a person, but its made up of people. Even with a large employer, if you just walk out your coworkers and manager suffer for it.

on good terms can be a factor if you want to use them as a reference for your next job.

they probably expect you to give 2 weeks notice because you might need a letter of reference in the future

Everybody can do whatever they want. But one reason you might want to serve a 2-week notice anyway is if you care about maintaining a good relationship with former employer. You might want a letter of recommendation from them, be in good terms if you meet again in your career path, and who knows, you might want to work with them again in the future. It's not a good idea to burn the bridge unless you believe you're so awesome that you could succeed without any help from anybody.

BC labour law says you do not have to give two weeks notice when quitting, but employers do have to give notice when firing, unless there is just cause. Do not let employers intimidate you into thinking otherwise. (BTW, I am an employer.)

Employers are required by law to give employees fired without cause either two weeks' notice or two weeks' pay in lieu of notice. (That's assuming the employee's been employed for 12 months. It's one week for those employed between 3 and 12 months.) Most opt for the latter to avoid having a fired person hanging around.

I would have done the same if I were in the same situation with a hostile employer. These so-called employee agreements they make you sign when you join the company are unfairly one-sided: the employer basically has the right to do whatever the hell they want, and the employee has no recourse for anything. In many cases, the termination packages defer to government legislation regarding severance pay, which is peanuts. But that is the sign of the times... employees are seen as disposable assets. Unless you fight your way up and climb the corporate ladder to a secure, cushy and well-paying management position, you're just a worker bee that can be eliminated on a supervisor's whim.