Maybe these employees were too conceited to admit it and as the rumors flew that the two of them didn't get along with each other because of the power struggle they started to reject her in a sub-conscious level, no reason was required for such behaviour, they hated her because she was too perfect, that a rich heiress was dragged down from her pedestal, they were happy about it...man is rational but envy is not, who genuinely liked a person born with a golden spoon, right?
They were happy to follow the CEO, who at least got this position from scratch and through hard work, if asked, they will say that it's because it's him, they support him and hence act against her but was it really true?
No!
They were just glad and happy at someone's downfall and used 'him' as an excuse for it...actually, aren't we all just like that?