> they get paid for doing nothing useful for a while, then have to find another job. That's true, but if they took advantage and get fired then they would have

> they get paid for doing nothing useful for a while, then have to find another job. That's true, but if they took advantage and get fired then they would have poor references and a spotty employment history, which will negatively affect getting another job (and would have been a factor in the hiring of the current role). So in that way there is an incentive for the candidate to perform well in order to maintain their career, and they do risk that track record to some extent when taking on a new role. It sucks for both sides if things don't work out.