In my experience people are much the same all over the place. Employees differ in their views of their employer only in the way that they perceive they have been treated. Maybe Geldap was treated shabbily, maybe he deserved it, I don't know. But I do know that, in the main, a Company will not mistreat an employee who consistently gives of their best in their employment. I have been working for the (apparently) dark side of the force for a long time and I have never been mistreated. Au-contraire I am a very happy chappy working in a place that I enjoy for a company of which I am very proud.
Back to the post. I would join and buy a house/flat straight away, stay for 5 years and its paid for by the company - another 500 000 pounds to add to your retirement paid for by the evil company.