That's because corporate limited liability shields stakeholders from losses beyond their sunk costs.

As an employee, you probably are close to last in line behind most of the other creditors, and may have to just write off that last (missed) paycheck. But that paycheck you are never going to get is the full extent of your liability for the company's losses, even theoretically.

Not that it encompasses all the risks you're exposed to (time not working, looking for a new job, etc.) But those are the same regardless.

you're simply making things up. stop it.

you can look up the hierarchy of creditors, and see where employee compensation lands. they're fourth priority, after domestic support obligations (probably not relevant to a business), administrative expenses (gotta pay the courts and court-appointed bankruptcy trustee), and claims from involuntary bankruptcy.

employee benefits are in the fifth priority. there are four more priority levels (6 through 10), and then all of the unsecured creditors.

Sure, technically employees are near the top, but that doesn't help if all the cash and assets are long gone.