They had a verbal offer, then a written one. The start date, HR said, was negotiable — to be agreed between the candidate and the company.
HR named its preferred date. The candidate asked whether they could start two weeks later.
Two days after that, the offer was rescinded.
Across the process the candidate had bent wherever they could, accommodating changes to the start date and to the working arrangement. It made no difference. A negotiation the company had invited, the candidate answered — and the answer cost them the job.