Health Clinic Inc. has no written employment manual or oral discharge policy, avoids abusive treatment of its staff, and acts to prevent illegal and unsafe activities. The clinic freely hires and fires its employees, who are similarly free to quit at any time. With respect to the employment-at-will doctrine, this is

a.

exemplary of the doctrine.

b.

an exception based on contract theory.

c.

in direct conflict with the doctrine.

d.

an exception based on a statute.