>How do you change jobs? If an employer needs a new developer, he cannot entice an experienced one with better pay/benefits/training/projects from another business unless he is willing to wait a very long time for that person...
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>Unless I'm missing something, I can see some benefits/drawbacks to that...

That's correct - there is some 'protection' on both sides

How do you change jobs ? You make an agreement with a new employer - without a starting date - saying that you will have to negotiate with your current employer
You send your resignation to your current employer by registered mail. The (termination) period always starts at the beginning of next month
During the termination period you are entitled to twice half a day to find a new job - even if you already have one

But most of the times, things are negotiated. If you want to leave, the employer knows that your mind is not on yiur current job any more. So there may be a win/win: employee can leave in a month or so, but will 'properly' finish the current job (hand over of current tasks/projects)

The terms vary from country to country. In Belgium you can fire anyone without stating a reason. You just owe him the salary for x months

I heard, but that's a long time ago, from an employer in the Netherlands that you cannot fire anyone without a (valid) reason. If you want to get rid of someone, you tell them to stay at home and look for another job and promise to tell nothing but good things should a potential employer call for info about the employee

I heard that Germany has a good 'social protection' too - but I heard that also a long time ago