Is there any cure for this behavior?
Having the off line (Cassini & SSEE) version of the client, should one start Outlook without a connection (VPN for travelers, RJ45 at ones desk) the client, on its own accord, switches to off line.
It's bad enough if it were to do so robustly because you have to explain to users to be aware of the situation. The big problem is when it does so AND corrupts whatever it corrupts so that the CRM tool bar disappears. Now the user does some work but loses it when the configuration tool is rerun to repair the installation.
This is a serious "feature".