The "and needs one" is the important part here. Not everyone has a need to always be employed. For those who have the option to sit out for a while, they can de

The "and needs one" is the important part here. Not everyone has a need to always be employed. For those who have the option to sit out for a while, they can demand a premium. They might not get it, but if the employer wants to tempt them off the sidelines, insulting them with an offer of half pay isn't the way to go. But yes, for those desperate for income, the employer can sometimes get away with that type of behavior until the employee finds another option and leaves.