Astronomer HR Head Kristin Cabot Employment Status: Has she resigned or still employed at firm after CEO Andy Byron resigns over Coldplay Concert scandal

Astronomer HR head Kristin Cabot’s employment status at data science company might change in some days. But as of now, she is still employed at the firm and has been put on leave after a public incident involving former CEO Andy Byron.

Cabot, who is Chief People Officer at Astronomer, is yet to resign while Andy Byron has tendered his resignation. The event took place during a Coldplay concert and led to widespread media attention and Byron's resignation. Cabot’s employment status is still unresolved.

Why has Astronomer HR chief Kristin Cabot Not Resigned?

Although Andy Byron was forced to resign quickly, Kristin Cabot has not been officially terminated. She is currently on leave. According to employment lawyers, companies cannot terminate employees solely due to bad headlines.


Attorney Nicole Brenecki said termination in such cases involves legal complexities. She mentioned employment contracts, internal reviews and potential liability, as per a New York Post report.

Brenecki stated that if there is written proof HR had approved the conduct or turned a blind eye, further action may follow. She also said more time might be required before any termination decisions are made.

Also Read: Scandal Confirmed: Andy Byron snags fat exit package as Coldplay's Chris Martin weighs in

Coldplay Concert Kiss Cam Viral Video incident

Cabot and Byron became the subject of public discussion after Coldplay frontman Chris Martin highlighted them on the stadium jumbotron at a Gillette Stadium show. The moment showed both individuals in a close embrace.

Astronomer later confirmed that an internal investigation was being conducted. The video quickly went viral on social media platforms.

Both individuals are believed to be married to other people, based on social media observations. This added to the controversy and intensified public scrutiny.

Why Legal Experts Doubt Sexual Harassment Claims?

Legal professionals noted that a sexual harassment case would be difficult to support in this situation.

Brenecki explained that unless Cabot was pressured due to a power imbalance, the relationship would be seen as consensual. In that case, legal claims would not be strong.

Attorney Douglas Wigdor agreed and said a harassment claim would need to prove the relationship was unwelcome. From the available information, this seems unlikely, it added.

Wigdor added that the public is only seeing a brief clip, so unknown details might still surface.

Also Read: Can Astronomer CEO Andy Byron sue Coldplay or Grace Springer over viral Kiss Cam video? Details here

Kristin Cabot Unclear Employment Future

Attorney William Cafaro said Cabot might still be employed because of an ongoing exit negotiation. He believes the incident presents a clear conflict for someone in her role, the report said.

Cafaro suggested that even though firing may be legally possible, both sides could be discussing settlement terms privately.

He noted that it is hard to see how Cabot can continue in her current position as head of HR, considering the public nature of the incident.

Astronomer Response and Internal Review in Progress

Astronomer’s new interim CEO and co-founder Pete DeJoy addressed the situation in a LinkedIn post. He described the past few days as unusual for the company.

DeJoy acknowledged the media attention, saying Astronomer has become widely recognized, although not in the way the company expected.

Astronomer has not officially commented on Cabot’s employment status. As of Monday, no new statements were released.

The outcome of the internal investigation may determine whether Cabot stays with the company or departs.

FAQs

Is Kristin Cabot still working at Astronomer?
Kristin Cabot is on leave but has not been officially terminated. Her employment status depends on the outcome of an internal investigation and legal review.

Can Kristin Cabot face legal consequences for the Coldplay scandal?
Legal experts say a sexual harassment claim is unlikely if the relationship was consensual. Her future at Astronomer will depend on internal findings and company policy.