What can result from the employment-at-will doctrine for employees?

The employment-at-will doctrine establishes that an employer can terminate an employee at any time and for any reason, as long as the reason is not illegal (such as discrimination). This means that under this doctrine, an employee can be dismissed without prior notice, making option D the correct choice. The flexibility granted to employers allows them to make swift decisions regarding staffing needs, often without the obligation to provide justification or warning to the employee.

While employees have some rights under various laws prohibiting wrongful termination, the core principle of employment-at-will inherently supports the idea that an employee can be terminated for almost any reason, effectively resulting in a lack of job security. This makes option D a direct consequence of the employment-at-will doctrine.

In contrast, the other choices highlight benefits or protections that are not consistent with the employment-at-will principle. Guarantees of lifetime employment, increased job security, and the ability to resign without consequence do not align with the fundamental premise of at-will employment, where both parties can terminate the relationship freely.