Well, historically, taking a new job often meant relocating which is a big expense for the employer (who typically paid relo for engineering jobs) and is hugely disruptive for the employee. Definitely not just a shrug for everyone concerned if things don't work out after a bit.
Less true in hotbeds for a given industry. But I've had relocation paid twice in my career and it was just a given.
It's been a long while but, especially as a young employee (presumably) expecting to have relocation handled, I'd be WTF; the relocation would probably have been a huge chunk of my salary at the time. Of course, at that point, you're probably just screwed and you're probably not going to get a lawyer over it.
I'm talking about somewhat longer ago but it used to just be part of the deal along with living expenses for a month or so in my experience for professional jobs.
Having to relocate a long distance would have been a huge barrier for me both for cost and other reasons at the time. Obviously remote is a bigger option these days but far from universal. Glad it wasn't a problem both times I did even if the cost and other obstacles weren't as great at the time.
The one time I had an employer involved that closely they completely dropped the ball and I had to crash on a friend's couch. Again I don't think having corporate administration so closely involved in your life is a great idea just because of the dumb things they occasionally do.
Less true in hotbeds for a given industry. But I've had relocation paid twice in my career and it was just a given.