I would just go somewhere else and start working. If someone actually had the balls to try and cause problems for me (for zero gain on their part) I would prob

I would just go somewhere else and start working. If someone actually had the balls to try and cause problems for me (for zero gain on their part) I would probably liberally advertise that fact and drag them through the mud. In your friend's case, since he will have to quit under duress, he should be entitled to unemployment benefits while he finds some sane employers. No, it is not reasonable/normal to negotiate with insane idiots.