I'm pretty sure they can't do that

So? Just don't show up. Not your problem, you gave your resignation. They can't force you stay.

Not knowing how you did your resignation, I can only speculate, but if you did the traditional two-week-notice, just don't show up on day 15. You've given your notice and its not your fault that your boss refuses to acknowledge it. You're not slave labor; he/she can't keep you there forever. Keep dropping comments whenever your boss is within earshot, perhaps to other co-workers, so that they all know that you are serious.

1: Giving notice for most kinds of work is a formality only. Unless you have a contract (military, doctor, teacher etc), you can leave at any time with or without formally resigning. 2: Staying to make sure you get your final pay is an endless cycle since there will always be more pay for them to owe you. 3: If they are willing to do this to you they are willing to give you a bad reference. Staying for "just a little longer" will not fix that. 4: Slavery ended a long time ago

there is no refuses to let you leave. you gave notice. you tell him your last day in writing. you simply grow a pair and tell him how shit works.

I would just leave what makes you think that his going to give you a recommendation after you leave if he is already acting like an ass

Send your letter via certified mail, and keep a notarized copy if necessary. Then stop showing up. If they're hard up for employees, then no wonder!

Same happened to me. Eventually I sent my boss an email and just didn't show up next shift.

just don't show up

No call no show- just stop coming in and they'll fire you. That's bull@$&* and they know it. Stop respecting them since they stopped respecting you.