Final answer:
An employer can terminate a new employee during the probationary period a) without prior notice, b) severance pay, employee consent, or d) legal consequences. Probationary periods are used as a safeguard against hiring unsuitable employees and can involve lower pay. Stricter regulations in some countries require substantial notice and severance, affecting hiring and firing decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a probationary period, an employer may terminate a new employee with or without prior notice, severance pay, employee consent, or legal consequences. This is a common practice in the labor market to protect employers from the risk of hiring an employee who may not meet expectations, referred to as a "lemon." During the probationary period, it's often the case that an employee can be dismissed for any reason or no reason. This is in contrast to many European countries, where there are strict regulations requiring firms to provide months of notice and substantial severance packages when laying off workers, which can discourage both firing and hiring due to the additional costs and risks involved.