No argument from me that the city was woefully prepared for the aftermath. As to companies threatening workers if they leave, I hadn't heard that, and would be surprised if that was a major phenomenon. The worst hit areas, like the Lower 9th Ward, have about 50% unemployment.
I'm disappointed both in the lame planning as well as boneheads who could have evacuated, but didn't. Then there are the looters & predators... Dismal all around.