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Andrew Yang, Andrew Cuomo, and Toxic Workplace Culture:
As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faces calls to resign, another Andrew – Andrew Yang – is watching his political future brighten as the steady frontrunner in the NYC Mayoral race.
As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faces calls to resign, another Andrew – Andrew Yang – is watching his political future brighten as the steady frontrunner in the NYC Mayoral race.
In many respects, Yang and Cuomo are complete opposites. Cuomo has decades of political experience, Yang has virtually none. Cuomo has been labeled a “bully,” some worry Yang is “too nice” to govern. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/us/politics/andrew-yang-2020-president.html
In the 2018 Democratic Primary for Governor, Cuomo voted for himself, while Yang voted for Sex and The City alumna @CynthiaNixon.
Still, the two Andrews share a critical commonality that should matter to New Yorkers – both men are accused of managing toxic, sexist, workplace environments.
Yet, while Cuomo is finally facing public accountability for creating a problematic workplace culture, Andrew Yang has been let off the hook.
Importantly, Governor Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment and/or assault by multiple women, many who worked for him.
Importantly, Governor Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment and/or assault by multiple women, many who worked for him.
These allegations are serious and no similar allegations have been made against Mr. Yang.
Still, the reality that Yang did not personally engage in sexual impropriety at work, does not absolve him for repeatedly creating toxic workplaces for women – particularly as he campaigns to manage the largest city government in the country.
Culture is key and managers are responsible for it.
Dozens of former and current New York state employees described the workplace culture created by Governor Cuomo as “chaotic, unprofessional and toxic, especially for young women.” https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/nyregion/cuomo-women-toxic-workplace.html?name=styln-cuomo®ion=TOP_BANNER&block=storyline_menu_recirc&action=click&pgtype=Article&impression_id=&variant=show
Dozens of former and current New York state employees described the workplace culture created by Governor Cuomo as “chaotic, unprofessional and toxic, especially for young women.” https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/nyregion/cuomo-women-toxic-workplace.html?name=styln-cuomo®ion=TOP_BANNER&block=storyline_menu_recirc&action=click&pgtype=Article&impression_id=&variant=show
Allegations surrounding Yang’s 2020 Presidential campaign sound nearly identical. Multiple women complained of a “toxic” workplace culture. One Yang staffer even settled with the campaign for $6,000.
Another claims she was fired for pointing out social media harassment by the campaign’s supporters to management.
The former employee, who spoke to media anonymously after being doxxed as retribution, explained, “I was attacked by male Yang Gang publicly, called a liar, an attention whore, a control freak.” https://theslot.jezebel.com/reports-of-misogyny-in-andrew-yangs-presidential-campai-1846186234
Multiple women were left seeking therapy to process their mistreatment on Yang’s team, “It f—ed up my self-worth to be constantly belittled and bullied,” said one staffer.
The campaign culture was described as being run by “bros who promote bros,” even over more experienced female employees.
Yang claims to have “terminated” employees involved in reported issues.” https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/andrew-yang-presidential-campaign-had-192856097.html
Yang claims to have “terminated” employees involved in reported issues.” https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/andrew-yang-presidential-campaign-had-192856097.html
Notably, though he has replaced his former campaign manager Yang continues to employ that individual as a senior advisor and the two co-host a a podcast together.
Yang's 2020 campaign manager is accused of mocking the pronouns of a non-binary web developer on the campaign in addition to other abusive management behavior. “If I asked you to call me Twinkle Toes, would you call me Twinkle Toes?,” he reportedly said. https://theslot.jezebel.com/reports-of-misogyny-in-andrew-yangs-presidential-campai-1846186234
Alarmingly, Yang’s presidential campaign is not the first instance of his management style causing harm.
Former employees from Manhattan Prep and Venture for America, both of which Yang led prior to running for office, came forward early last year to warn voters that the long-shot candidate had not faced any real scrutiny. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/andrew-yang-president-campaign.html
Female employees say Yang treated them unfairly, including when it came to compensation. Others noted Yang made racially inappropriate comments at work -- at one point even suggesting black applicants were not ideal for his Venture for America fellowship. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/andrew-yang-president-campaign.html
Just as in Cuomo’s case, Yang employees mostly spoke off-the-record with some citing fear of retribution. Others signed restrictive NDAs required by the campaign. https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-elections-government/ny-nyc-mayoral-race-andrew-yang-nda-20210129-4estyk5l45gbji6oqquupzrdwm-story.html
However, one Manhattan Prep employee, @kimwatkinsnyc, has gone on the record to accuse Yang of firing her for getting married. https://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-yang-ex-employee-claims-fired-for-getting-married-2019-9
Watkins says that Yang suggested she would stop “working as hard” now that she was married because she would be preoccupied with her new life -- as a wife. Yang denies the allegation.
If start-up culture celebrates learning from failures, it appears Yang hasn't even managed to do that.
In an interview last month with the Gotham Gazette, Yang refused to concede any management inadequacies, insisting that he was “proud of the work we’ve done in each of my organizations, elevating people of every background including women.”
At the risk of making a hyperbolic comparison, the Republican Party offered a similar defense of Trump's treatment of women. https://gop.com/trump-has-a-great-record-of-promoting-and-empowering-women-at-his-companies/
New York City voters owe it to the hundreds of thousands of New York City government employees to elect a Mayor who has demonstrated successful, inclusive, leadership. Andrew Yang is not that candidate.
I think he genuinely wants to do good, but that’s not enough and it’s irresponsible to seek such a consequential position when you are wholly unqualified and have repeatedly been an unsuccessful manager. It means real consequences for real people. https://twitter.com/eichbergerusa/status/1381306045889310720
As a side note — @kimwatkinsnyc and @LindseyBoylan, who called out Yang and Cuomo, respectively — are both now running for Manhattan Borough President.
