There are 7 States in the USA that have vacation ' must pay' laws, meaning any accrued but unused vacation time has to be paid out if you leave so you may want to check if that's the case where you live first. I live in one of the seven and got my vacation pay when I left (voluntary, not in a RIF). As for what they will do when you give notice, it depends on two things. if you are going to work for a competitor you will get walked out the door immediately, if not the decision will be made based on how much they need a body in the job. The other factor is how much of a a-hole your manager and his boss are, some will toss you immediately just because they can.