[throwaway22032]

Well, sure.

I don't think anyone is the right fit for any relationship in which one side attempts to change the parameters without consultation.

It just doesn't make any logistical sense. You may as well ask a teenager doing a weekend job to come in on Tuesday. They're at school.

UK employment law doesn't really permit these sorts of shenanigans.

[Tallianar]

Indeed, which is why I think they ended backing out. But even if it could, there are definitely better ways of handling it. The deal we ended up getting is one that benefits all sides and I wish more companies would adopt.