[gpm]

> and the first event on the calendar is marked as an all-hands orientation meeting, would you really assume that it's somehow optional?

If I saw it, of course not. But, if the calendar is filled with community fluff events I would absolutely expect to be told about any mandatory events in another fashion and I might well (like the author) not notice it.

> The Recurse Center gave him a second chance to participate in the next session

Given that this means 6 more weeks of no pay, that's not really a second chance. This sort of time commitment means that it can't just be rescheduled at low cost.

> Given that he missed most of the first day

I see nothing to support this assertion.