CEOs resigning or otherwise experiencing a lot of pain does not help the people being laid off. But if it becomes a cultural norm then CEOs in the future may be

CEOs resigning or otherwise experiencing a lot of pain does not help the people being laid off. But if it becomes a cultural norm then CEOs in the future may be less likely to take steps that lead to layoffs. Consider a more extreme example of the justice system. Putting somebody in prison doesn't undo the crime they committed. But deterrence is considered to be a reasonable argument for criminal punishment.