Biden's top science adviser bullied and demeaned subordinates (update: he has resigned)

[brooklynite]

Last edited Mon Feb 7, 2022, 10:30 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: Politico

[div class"excerpt"]President Joe Biden's top science adviser, Eric Lander, bullied and demeaned his subordinates and violated the White House's workplace policy, an internal White House investigation recently concluded, according to interviews and an audio recording obtained by POLITICO.

The two-month investigation found "credible evidence" that Lander -- a Cabinet member and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy who the White House touts as a key player in the pandemic response -- was "bullying" toward his then-general counsel, Rachel Wallace, according to a recorded January briefing on the investigation's findings.

Christian Peele, the White House's deputy director of management and administration for personnel, said that the investigation also concluded that there was "credible evidence of disrespectful interactions with staff by Dr. Lander and OSTP leadership," according to the roughly 20-minute briefing, which included a representative of the White House Counsel's office.

There was also "credible evidence" that Lander had spoken "harshly and disrespectfully to colleagues in front of other colleagues," Peele said, according to the recording. "The investigation found credible evidence of instances of multiple women having complained to other staff about negative interactions with Dr. Lander, where he spoke to them in a demeaning or abrasive way in front of other staff," Peele said in the recording.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/07/eric-lander-white-house-investigation-00006077

[PatSeg]

3. Yes, I remember that well

I think this guy's days are numbered. I guess he forgot who he was working for.

[PatSeg]

6. Yes, presidents often say things in the beginning

that have to be walked back later. Clearly, an investigation is the appropriate way to handle such complaints. I think the "fired on the spot" comment was really more for effect and apparently the meaning went over Lander's head.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

14. It's a Politico investigation. And putting "bullying", clipped from where? is a good sign of

an agenda by the publisher.

[PatSeg]

17. Appears so

Reading the article, it looks like an awful lot noise about something that is not a big story and is being dealt with internally. There are so many real news stories out there, this one is rather pathetic. I didn't notice it was Politico at first.

[2naSalit]

5. And many/most positions...

In government require and investigation prior to termination, it's the law. He'll be replaced soon, I suspect, following due process.

[Rebl2]

11. He said

if he hears you being disrespectful to a colleague. Maybe he has never actually heard him talk down or be disrespectful to anyone. That should not matter though. He should be fired.

[TygrBright]

19. Because they believe in due process, too.

They waited for the investigation to confirm the allegations, reviewed the evidence.

There is probably a progressive discipline policy in the personnel code, and if the nature of the offenses are not actually criminal or posing an immediate hazard in the workplace, they will apply that policy.

They'll apply sanctions as required by the policy, which may involve additional procedures to allow the employee to accept a level of sanctions and demonstrate that they understood what they did wrong and will change how they interact with colleagues, supervisees, etc.

Because good employers lay out expected norms, clear procedures for what happens when they are violated, a system of addressing problems and ensuring fair treatment for accusers and those accused, appeal, recourse, etc. And good employers follow them.

I suspect this guy is toast, myself, but they will do it according to policy.

Providing a role model for good personnel practice.

Which is also sorely needed in these days of "at will employment and any stupid excuse to cut personnel budget will do."

speculatively,
Bright

[Alexander Of Assyria]

22. It's like a Pavlovian reflex to believe the title of all online posts...and b very very outraged!

The first to be outraged the most wins! Not sure what the prize is tho.

This guy is not toast, apologized after the actual real independent review by the WH and the actual facts….free of media opinion….and is on the job.

[Mystery sage]

2. If he doesn't get fired he needs to be demoted.

To know how it feels like to be under someone else pushing their weight around.

[msfiddlestix]

7. I take it this 2 month investigation has concluded...

And his firing has taken place?

shouldn't have taken 2 months to investigate. and I hope to read he's been fired.


I was a witness in an internal investigation at my work place. it took a week, max.

action taken on a monday morning following conclusion.

it's not hard.

this report states of a number of subordinates were bullied.

This isn't rocket science.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

15. Politico investigation...so swallow with grain of salt.

[GB_RN]

24. Exactly...

Charles Pierce - one of the best political writers around - calls Politico “Tiger Beat on the Potomac”. For those not familiar, Tiger Beat is a fan magazine primarily aimed at teenage girls.

So, Charley is basically saying Politico is trash.

[brooklynite]

27. #21 and #26

[msfiddlestix]

8. I'm surprised he wasn't vetted more thoroughly.

or if there were similar reports from previous employment, shouldn't have been selected to serve in that position.

I hope this matter is properly dealt with in short order.

[mn9driver]

9. This article came out this morning. I expect he will resign by the end of the day.

Biden’s statement doesn’t really leave room for anything else.

[Ocelot II]

12. Federal employees don't get "buyout settlements."

[Alexander Of Assyria]

16. Article from Politco so not holding breath it pans out as the opinion piece implies.

[CousinIT]

18. In Trump's admin his behavior would be rewarded and encouraged. n/t

[Farmer-Rick]

20. He sounds like a TFG manager

But Politico maybe overstating it. I don't trust them.

My first question is are these Trump holdovers who are getting yelled at?

Trump science is a combination of wishful thinking and stupidity. I mean if Lander had to lead a team of idiots in a science based office, it may make anyone scream. Imagine if these staffers getting yelled at were promoting demon possesion like Palin or pushing Ivermectin.

Yeah, he could clean out the holdovers but Trump instituted some very strict controls over firing civil servants right before he left office.

I always thought that Biden's statement about immediate firing was a trap set by GOPers who have replaced most honest and well meaning civil servants with corrupt Repukes. GOPers want to make sure their minions aren't fired, ignored or held to account.

Yeah, we may see this story again but I would really like to hear a blow by blow detail of exactly what was said to these employees.

[brooklynite]

21. "Top White House scientist apologizes after internal review finds he bullied and demeaned staff"

(so much for the reflexive Politico criticisms)

Eric Lander, a top science adviser to President Biden and the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, has apologized after a White House review found evidence that he bullied and demeaned staffers.

The internal review, prompted by a workplace complaint last year, found credible evidence that Lander had violated the White House’s “Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy” by treating staffers disrespectfully. On the day he was inaugurated, Biden established a zero-tolerance policy for workplace harassment, saying, “if you are ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot. On the spot. No ifs, ands or buts.”

Lander, who has been involved in the Biden administration’s work on the coronavirus pandemic, will continue working with the Biden administration but will face disciplinary measures “to correct the behavior,” an OSTP spokesperson said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/07/lander-white-house-apologizes

[Ameri Canadian]

25. Venus Lander

We've never done it, but the Russians have. Mind you, none of their surface probes have survived much beyond an hour in the horrid conditions. But hey, if Eric is a bully, then he probably thinks he's a tough guy. So let's put him to the test: somebody call NASA and tell 'em to start prepping a rocket!

[brooklynite]

26. UPDATE: Eric Lander has resigned

Link to tweet

[Rebl2]

28. Saw that

about an hour ago. He probably was given the chance to resign or be fired.

[AngryOldDem]

29. I wish I knew why some bosses think being assholes is OK.

I’ve worked with one and nothing destroys morale, productivity, and self-esteem faster.

Good riddance, Lander.