I'm not opposed to alternative structures than the traditional employer/employee relationship, but not the specific stuff I've seen.

Hey let’s hire Ashok for this position! He’s really good!

Oops, sorry. Bob Whiteman has been here for 30 years. He’s just good enough not to fire but he has seniority so he gets first dibs on the job.

Hey, let’s give Ashok a raise! He’s really good!

Oops, sorry. Bob Whiteman has been here for 30 years. He’s just good enough not to fire. It he’s been here the longest so he gets paid the most.