[Michael Barnes]

Some do not support Smith’s being fired as he was on his own time, not on company business.

I bet dimes to dollars somewhere in his contract is a clause about holding up the company image even in the off hours. I have been seeing this pop up more and more with salaried types (and you BET he is salary, bare minimum? yes. Bonus', stocks, etc, etc. butter his bread.
too bad, so sad for him.

[jonno]

I bet dimes to dollars somewhere in his contract is a clause about holding up the company image even in the off hours.

Yep - he was an officer of the company, and as such had an obligation to uphold the integrity/image of the company. Had he been an hourly worker it would be much different - IMO...