If someone is going to hire Rich, it's because they think he's the best applicant to help their business. You don't treat that person like shit and tell him, "you make nothing right now, take our offer or leave it." You think that's what people who get laid off are told when they start looking for work?
If someone's hiring for a role, they want the best person for the job. There's a budget made for the role, there's a market value that gives a good idea where the market is currently set...this isn't fucking Succession. A company gives the candidate a number, the candidate counters, and people respectfully go from there. If there isn't a match, everyone moves along.
They don't threaten and strong arm currently unemployed candidates to take an offer or fuck off. What planet are you living on?