Companies that do this need to be sued out of existence.

My separation notice said "Unable to perform job duties", which makes no sense, since I worked there for nearly 2 years with positive reviews and multiple successful projects.

But apparently I'm not working because I want to go home at 6pm and take my unpaid lunch.

In which jurisdiction?

And even if it was, reporting it to the DOL and let them handle it would be a thousand times less stressful and cheaper.

Experienced engineers who are often key technical people in companies are much more consistently going home at 6pm. Makes sense as they are much harder to replace so they can get away with working ordinary hours.

Sue them like its going out of style.

FLSA 13(a)(17) covers "computer professionals".

If you do not use highly-specialized knowledge, or are not allowed to use your own judgment and discretion, you could potentially challenge the exemption. I would consider the number of hours worked in excess of 40 per week to be part of that discretion. And in my opinion, "at will" employees have significantly reduced discretion, as they can be fired at any time for any reason, or no reason, but I am not a lawyer, and I don't think any judge would ever determine exemptness based solely on that. It might be a contributing factor. If you're at will, and feel like working fewer than 70 hours/week would get you fired, a judge might strip off the exemption just from the pure horror.

But definitely read that section of the law, and ask yourself again whether software professionals need a union. That was specifically written for us--or against us, depending on your opinion of it.

I'm working in London right now, and have been looking at jobs in the US, but the workers rights seem incredibly hostile, and downright crazy to me...

But sometimes, one of them, or your division manager, junior VP, senior VP, CTO, or CEO will be an insane demon from the acidic bowels of the abyss, and they will make everyone underneath them miserable.

Generally, you either recognize it immediately and decline the offer, or you start looking for other work as soon as you figure it out, because they will eventually fire you or drive you to quit, and you will have no effective recourse against them.

We have no union aligned to our interests and no political party wanting to curry favor, so malicious employers can get away with whatever they want, and any penalty or backlash is usually dwarfed by the additional money made by the unethical behavior.

The consolation is that if you can get a decent job with sane management, the gross pay before cost of living expenses is a lot higher. You could potentially save up for retirement a lot faster, but you could also get two bad jobs in a row and burn out.

You only hear the bad stories.

What kind of a job are you looking for? I assume you're some kind of engineer, but on my phone so didn't look into anything.

Is there a way to PM on here?

Not every day - but if you have real responsibilities - others may depend on you.

I know it's not ideal ... but in a 'week off' I'll glance at my emails every few days, and maybe once or twice fire off a little note. That little note can make a huge difference to the machine.

Unless I plan to be 'in Rome' or whatever, in which case I would plan ahead, confer and make sure there was no reason anyone needed me and they knew I could not be reached.

But those expectations should be set.

Your expectation is unwarranted. If your company can't let employees off for a week or two without checking in, I suggest the management style and staffing levels be checked. Your employees need these breaks to attend to mental stress, and adding to their stress by expecting availability during their time off should be re-evaluated.

You can't 'exit a system' if you have responsibilities, in a situation wherein that machine could break down in your absence.

If 'reading a few e-mails' is 'stressful' - then the person has issues working in a professional environment. 'Checking in' should not be stressful. It's just that - popping your head in to see what's up.

In reality - there is absolutely no escaping this for those who have responsibility unless there is a lot of planning, especially the further 'up the chain' you get.

He wants you to do more, he won't fire you, so he only has to see the costs properly and understand that you are more serious about the overtime than him.

I have one kid so far, and zero overtime, I can't even imagine how it will be with three.

OP literally starts the post saying he was fired.