I think the repercussions are just so small that it makes sense to act like this.
As an employee, your opinion of the CEO bears little. We've read on HN the few stories of only the most-qualified people being able to cause a stir in high-profile companies when they don't want to work for someone. That's not most of us.
On the flipside for the CEO, the board is happy with how they kept employees happy until the layoffs and then cut costs. Shareholders are happy that costs were cut. Other execs are happy that the CEO took the heat. In that CEO's circle, they did a good job and will be hired again to do the same.
As an employee, your opinion of the CEO bears little. We've read on HN the few stories of only the most-qualified people being able to cause a stir in high-profile companies when they don't want to work for someone. That's not most of us.
On the flipside for the CEO, the board is happy with how they kept employees happy until the layoffs and then cut costs. Shareholders are happy that costs were cut. Other execs are happy that the CEO took the heat. In that CEO's circle, they did a good job and will be hired again to do the same.