Which employment doctrine allows employers to increase or reduce wages and alter benefits offered to workers without notice?

The doctrine that allows employers to adjust wages and alter employee benefits without providing prior notice is at-will employment. Under this principle, either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any legal reason or for no reason at all, without prior notice or liability. This flexibility gives employers the freedom to make changes regarding compensation and benefits as they see fit, as long as they are not violating any specific laws or contracts.

In contrast, other employment arrangements, such as those governed by employment contracts or fixed-term employment, generally involve agreements that outline specific terms of employment, including wages and benefits. These arrangements typically require that changes be made with notice or in accordance with the terms specified in the contract. Union protection also relates to negotiated agreements and collective bargaining, which provide workers with certain rights and protections against unilateral changes by employers.