The entire point of RSU's (or stock options) is that if the company increases in value over time, e.g. over your first year, so does the cash value of your RSU's. That employees benefit as the company benefits.

What you're describing is zero benefit at all. It's no different from just being granted cash that vests. It's such a strange and seemingly pointless thing to do, that I have to ask -- are you sure that's how it works? And if so, has someone from the company ever explained why they do that?

I think the advantage for company is somewhat better predictability?

edit: That setup is basically saying "you don't benefit from the increase in share value for the first year of employement", which is pretty employee-hostile. I bet a company that was doing this before stopped doing it this year, when their stock value fell by a lot. :)