You keep bringing up something I agree with, regarding the counterproductive effect of labor protection laws. I just don't see how that excuses the lawlessness of management's actions.
> Because you can't blame employers for the personal actions of employees.
I'm unsure what you're referring to, but that's untrue, thankfully. If managers direct their employees to perform illegal actions, they too can be held liable. Nothing so brazen here, but willfully turning a blind eye to, or rewarding middle managers applying severely distressing psychological pressure (meaningless assignments, etc) is something that they chose to do way past the warning signs. I also don't think the sanction is disproportionate, nobody goes to jail, and the fine is modest. But I wouldn't put the square quotes around accountability.
> Because you can't blame employers for the personal actions of employees.
I'm unsure what you're referring to, but that's untrue, thankfully. If managers direct their employees to perform illegal actions, they too can be held liable. Nothing so brazen here, but willfully turning a blind eye to, or rewarding middle managers applying severely distressing psychological pressure (meaningless assignments, etc) is something that they chose to do way past the warning signs. I also don't think the sanction is disproportionate, nobody goes to jail, and the fine is modest. But I wouldn't put the square quotes around accountability.