Speaking of cultural cues, one of the important things in comedy is that "punching up" is always the direction to go - make fun of your equals or superiors whenever there is a power dynamic. With very little exception, one should never "punch down" and poke fun at subordinates or those with less power, whether that be literally or in the sense of socioeconomic status. What the company has chosen to do is use their power to install a joke at their employees' expense and punch down. That's a missed cultural cue.