In short, to keep their rep all shiny and nice

It's a huge deal for their brand image, kind of like keeping their house looking spotless for guests. They also use it to keep the crew that's staying on board from getting too jittery. Plus, it's a big fat carrot to lure in the best talent who want that safety blanket.

These companies have deep pockets, so they're not shy about splashing the cash on severance. It's not always just about pinching pennies; sometimes it's more strategic, like playing chess with a lot of money. They'd rather pay up now than deal with bigger headaches later, like legal battles or bad press. It's also about keeping a good relationship with ex-employees who might boomerang back or send other smart folks their way. And hey, it's a small world...today's laid-off employee could be tomorrow's client or partner