Final answer:
An associate can be terminated for an offense without prior counseling in at-will employment situations, though typical company policies might include progressive discipline first.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, an associate can be terminated for an offense without any previous counseling; this is typically referred to as 'at-will employment' in many jurisdictions. Under at-will employment, either the employee or the employer can terminate the employment relationship at any time without prior notice or reason, provided it does not violate any laws or employment agreements. However, most reputable employers have progressive disciplinary policies in place and prefer to provide employees with an opportunity to improve through counseling or warnings for most offenses before proceeding to termination. The specifics can vary significantly depending on the company policy, the seriousness of the offense, employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and local laws governing employment.