Wow, flu, I could have written some of your post on HP!
I remember the days when CSCI grads lusted over jobs at HP. HP employees were high quality, intelligent, well-dressed and professional. The work was fun and they were well compensated.
I’ve talked to and worked with many HPers over the years and their morale has been heading south and is now extremely bad. No longer do they beam with pride over their employer. Now they’ll give you an earful if they think they are off the record.
So sad.
I’m less sure on who to blame for the situation…I’m not as sure it is as clear-cut as you think.