system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is it that when people in very prestigious positions lose their jobs, they have to tender a resignation, but in everyday jobs, you just get fired?
gpt
Most jobs in the USA are at-will; this means that either side can terminate the relationship at any time.  You can quit whenever, and you can be fired whenever, for nearly any reason or no reason.

Most upper management positions, however, are on contract.  This means that the employee and the company sign an agreement that the person can only be fired for certain reasons.  If there's disagreement over those reasons, a firing might lead to a lawsuit.

So instead, the organization and the employee negotiate an end to the contract.  If they agree, the employee resigns and agrees not to sue for termination of the contract.