[Orangeair]

The joke is that Microsoft was truthfully able to say "the individual responsible is no longer with the company", a phrase which normally implies that someone has been fired as a direct consequence of the event, without actually firing anyone. The statement was true because the individual responsible had finished their internship, and hadn't yet been brought back as a full-time employee.

[coldtea]

That's not "the" joke, or even a joke, that's just an amusing case of PR spin.

The title doesn't say that employee was fired to refer to that "joke". It says it because it's more clickbaity this way.

[OJFord]

I agree about the title, but I do think it was absolutely a joke or case of diplomatic dexterity:

> The manager of this component replied, completely truthfully, “the individual responsible for this regrettable act is no longer with the company.”

Doesn't really sound like inadvertent or convenient HR/PR team handling, 'manager of this component'. How big would MS have been at the time (Windows 3.1, early 90s) anyway?

Sounds very much to me like they thought it was hilarious, and were thrilled to be able to say they were no longer there on a technicality!

[bravetraveler]

Agreed - if the other parties earnestly believed it... this reinforces the whole 'someone must be punished' mindset. I don't know. People can be mad.