Applying the word "impossible" to leaving a white collar job seems like a stretch. Also the buyout was almost 2 years ago now, anyone still there must be either in dire financial straits or quite commited.
I'm assuming there should be an "off" after "laid"...
The software job market, especially for those of us outside the major tech hubs has been severely biased in favor of employers for the last 3 years, with constant layoffs and rising inflation.
If I was working for Automattic I can definitely see electing to stay there until the job market improves.