I worked at a company who had an office in Belgium. We were consolidating offices. Same story ~15 months, of process. Offer employment elsewhere, more grace periods of where every employee takes the full time to consider the offer… just to collect a paycheck and say no.

It was a mess, and in the meantime most of that office was at best worthless / some folks just disruptive.

Many of these were capable people, highly employable, but they weren’t productive at all during this time.

I got along with some folks in that office, I really don’t think all that time did them any good. I think the intent behind the laws in play at that time and how individuals used them was very different.