"the market will decide their fate."

It seems the market determines the fate of the rank-and-file workers much quicker - quarterly layoffs - than it does for the CEOs, who often keep collecting large and increasing annual pay. Yes, 3-4 years of battling 'tough market conditions' may lead a board to get rid of a CEO, but they'll have pocketed millions during a decline, whereas the declining period is often marked by layoffs of people who were implementing the dumb decisions made by the CEO and board members.

So, true, the 'market' will decide, but the CEOs don't really feel the impact of the market's decisions quite as much as most workers do.

I don't know much of Bartz's particular situation or pay structure, so I can't comment on her.