Earlier quoted context omitted.
Exactly. The 10b5-1 schedule is a layer of misdirection, but the executives still have their hands firmly on the levers of price manipulation.
There is no way to know what effect a layoff will have on stock price in advance. This sale would have happened in the exact same way if the stock had tanked after the layoff.
Sure, but looking at precedent gives you info to make a good bet- the last 2 Spotify layoffs this year each caused their stock to jump.