[phpisthebest]

While I understand this mentally it is still unethical to offer multiple people the job where by they start taking life changing steps where the employer knows full well they have extended multiple offers simply because "maybe one of them will not show up"

I have experience a few times new employee's not showing up on day 1. I would NEVER even consider extended multiple offers to people just to ensure one of them shows up. That is more than just "shitty" as you say.

[lkschubert8]

It's unethical because of the downside asymmetry of the two scenarios. In one someone has made significant life changes and left guaranteed income. On the opposite side a business entity won't be able to best optimize profits.

[NeverFade]

If you can prove that the offer letter was issued in bad faith, for example the employer issued 2 offer letters for 1 position (hence one of the letters was issued for a job that doesn't exist) then I suspect you may have a legal case.

2022 exposed the fact that in the US, with its at-will employer, offer letters never offered much of a protection if they were offered in good faith, and then rescinded.