Posted on 07/20/2025 7:26:15 AM PDT by DoodleBob
Andy Byron, the CEO of data infrastructure start-up Astronomer Inc., was caught on the “kiss cam” at a concert with the British rock band Coldplay, hugging a woman from behind as both smiled, at least until they saw their video simulcast on the stadium jumbotron. Reports have alleged the woman in the clip is Astronomer’s chief people officer, Kristin Cabot.
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What Are the Practical and Legal Risks?
Conflict of Interest and Fiduciary Duties
…A romantic relationship between a CEO and the head of HR could be viewed as a breach of their fiduciary duties to uphold the highest levels of integrity in the organization. Those perceptions could lead to liability from investors, shareholders, and other stakeholders and can jeopardize future fundraising, not to mention the significant threat to careers and families.
Employment Discrimination and Harassment Claims
Office relationships are not illegal per se, and there are many stories of successful long-term relationships having started between coworkers. However, office relationships, particularly involving a supervisor and subordinate, are fraught with the potential for harassment or sexual misconduct, questions of consent, and other legal risks for the employer. Even consensual relationships can lead to allegations of sexual harassment, particularly if the relationship ends poorly.
More significantly, when the relationship involves an ultimate supervisor, in this case the CEO, claims often result from the assertion from the employee in the subordinate position that the relationship was coerced, or even worse, the employee agreed but only because he/she felt the threat to their job if they refused.
Impact on Employee Perceptions and Morale
…employees may feel more reluctant to report harassment or discrimination transgressions because of the fear that HR is simply a puppet to leadership.
(Excerpt) Read more at ogletree.com ...
For decades, it was the subordinate who got fired. Now they’re trying to reverse that.
Bkmk
Doubt there was any "love" on either side.
Or “Don’t get your meat and potatoes at the same place”.
Its been awhile since Coldplay created two singles.
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