I friend of mine recently put in his customary 2 weeks notice to his employer at which time his employer fired him due to contractual obligations to one of their customers. Is the employer required to pay him for the final 2 weeks or can they just let me go? If it matters he'd been there for some 4 years and was in good standing. Also since he was technically fired do they owe him for his earned vacation time. Thanks in advance.

He was not fired, technically or otherwise; his notice was accepted effective immediately. Yes, that is legal; no, they do not need to pay him for unworked notice time.

Kansas law only requires that vacation time be paid out if company policy so states.

There is no law in ANY state that requires the employer pay out a notice period if they decide to accept the resignation immediately. By law, only the time worked must be paid.

Only if your employer has a policy or practice of paying for unused vacation time. http://www.dol.ks.gov/es/html/laws_RES.html#workplace

Thank you all for your help.

***Note to self*** Just quit next time :D