While I agree that it is a pain in the butt, one aspect that you guys are missing is that every rule is another opportunity to get written up for breaking it. In times like these, if someone fights a layoff or termination for cause, any violation is ammunition to justify it.
While no one will admit it, and it probably isn't even in writing, the word has probably been passed to document everything. Don't get me wrong, I like the company, but I've never worked at a place that made me jump through so many hoops, and had such high standards as we USED to have, only to feel like once I got hired they began looking for reasons to fire me. So buckle up, kids.