[hapless]

Given that this is posted on his current employers' public forum, I take the "bottom of the ladder" and "not a benefit" juxtaposition as a "ha ha only serious" kind of joke.

There's no way that wasn't intended to have a double meaning.

[DannoHung]

There is a way. The way in which you're completely misreading a joke about an office ping pong tournament.

[coldtea]

Or you know, maybe others missing this are not very good at reading obvious stuff between the lines and need everything spelled out...