Despite widespread controversy, Kristin Cabot, Chief People Officer of data science firm Astronomer, has not been terminated following a public scandal involving CEO Andy Byron.
The pair were filmed in an intimate moment during a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium last week, prompting Byron’s immediate resignation. However, Cabot currently remains on administrative leave rather than being fired — a move largely influenced by legal caution, according to employment law experts.
Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November 2024, became a focal point of media attention after lead singer Chris Martin pointed her and Byron out on the stadium’s big screen. Videos of their apparent affair quickly went viral, drawing both criticism and curiosity, especially since both executives are reportedly married.
Labor attorney Nicole Brenecki emphasized that dismissals cannot be based solely on public backlash or “bad headlines.” Instead, companies must navigate employment contracts, internal procedures, and potential legal risks.
*You can’t just fire someone because their name is in the press for the wrong reasons,” Brenecki stated. “There might be documentation, investigations, or HR policies that complicate a swift termination.” She added that if Cabot’s HR department had approved or ignored improper conduct internally, disciplinary actions might follow — though such processes take time.
Another attorney, William Cafaro, argued that while firing an HR executive for a public affair with the CEO could be seen as “a textbook example of just cause,” Astronomer may be negotiating a separation agreement instead of opting for an immediate dismissal.
Meanwhile, interim CEO Pete DeJoy acknowledged the intense media scrutiny in a LinkedIn post: “Astronomer is now a household name — though not in the way we intended.” The company confirmed it has launched an internal investigation but declined to comment further when contacted by the New York Post.
Legal expert Douglas Wigdor pointed out that there may be “undisclosed details” about the relationship that are influencing Astronomer’s handling of the matter. He warned against drawing conclusions based on short clips: “We don’t know what happened before or after that video.”
While some speculated that Cabot might pursue a sexual harassment claim, attorneys say such a case would be difficult. “Unless there’s proof she was coerced due to a power imbalance, there’s no basis for a harassment suit,” Brenecki explained. “Being shown on a concert screen is not equivalent to workplace harassment.”
As the internal investigation unfolds, Cabot’s future at Astronomer remains uncertain — a situation watched closely not just for its corporate implications, but for its cultural resonance in a workplace increasingly conscious of ethics, consent, and accountability.
znews
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