re: CEO responds to 'painful' video of employee who went viral after being fired

My wife just went through this with her corporate employer in July. She had 13 years, numerous promotions, and was just given a reward of nearly 6 figures in company stock for saving a major client in May that requires her to stay at the company 12 months from the date of issue to collect. Complete shock with no indications that her department or job was in trouble. It was handled by HR much like this video except her direct manager was on the call but not allowed to speak. They did not try to claim any sort of performance base and tied it to layoffs but it made no sense as to why she was chosen and HR would not provide any answers. Once the call ended, her boss called her personal cell ranting about it being BS and saying she had absolutely no say. Fortunately, her previous boss in another department at the same company called the next morning and offered her old job back for the same money she was making. She took it because it was the only way to not lose the stock grant but as soon as she cashes those in this June she's giving a big FU to them and leaving without notice.

I have been at the same place 25 years and it was privately held the first 20 of those. We were acquired by a corporation and the actual culture is nothing like the public image they project. Hate it but I like my staff and don't feel right leaving them to deal with the crap I shield them from. Once they start retiring, I will leave and never consider working for another corporation.