That is really worrying. He worked there for over 10 years, doing incredible work for the R community, and then just being laid off with 2 weeks notice, over Christmas no less... Of course we don't know the other side, but he at least handles it like a total professional in this post.

EDIT: Also see the outpour of thanks and support in the comment thread https://github.com/yihui/yihui.org/discussions/1555 which gives an impression how well known and liked he is in the R community.