If anything, that would mean that they could offer more. With 10% unemployment, not only would people be less likely to take the money, but it would be easier to find new people.
Yes, they could offer more but the choice of an easy 3k and then a quick stint of unemployment then versus the long stint of unemployment makes 3k a pittance. Having a job is so overwhelmingly important these days that even something as "large" as 3k pails in comparison.
Last year Amazon.com had almost a billion dollars in net income. It's quite likely that they can afford to maintain their hands-off approach with regards to subsidiaries, preserving Zappos' unique culture.
