“Power is a Thing of Perception. They Don't Need to be Able to Kill You. They Just Need You to Think They are Able to Kill You” ― Julian Assange
Seems applicable to European Patent Office (EPO) staff
Today the EPO is on strike. It's past 6AM CET, so we assume workers were "meant" to start working in about 3 hours. However, thousands will make a strong statement by refusing to work; when back from the strike, they will also refuse to grant many patents; instead they'll search harder and scrutinise applications.
The EPO cannot fire thousands of workers; it would draw media attention (from what's left of the media) and cause chaos for EPO stakeholders.
So this idea that the EPO can "kill" people's careers is mostly theoretical. The examiners at the EPO exercise a lot of power (in numbers, in unity) over the management, not the other way around. The dictator already seems to be "in hiding", having tactlessly chosen to hide (and pay over 100,000 euros to) his cocaine buddy.
When leadership becomes corrupt enough to lose a sense of authority its days are numbered; it'll be replaced. █