Andy Byron, the CEO of the tech company, is in negotiations over his exit package after he and Chief Human Resources Officer Christine Cabot were placed on leave following an incident at a Coldplay concert. The situation escalated Wednesday night when they were seen during a “Kiss Cam” moment while canoeing.
On Friday, the company announced it was launching an investigation. However, sources told Axios that both Byron and Cabot were immediately put on leave after this public embarrassment that involved alleged inappropriate conduct.
The company’s delayed response followed confusing reports about the involvement of cameras at the event. A suspect has already resigned and is reportedly facing financial difficulties.
Employee reactions have been somewhat muted, with a staff member from the Manhattan office commenting they were instructed to remain silent about the issue. One worker mentioned, “No, we’re not allowed to talk about it.”
At the concert, confusion erupted when the Jumbotron abruptly focused on the couple during a performance, leading to mixed reactions from fans. Frontman Chris Martin reportedly expressed surprise at their sudden appearance, while audience members had varied interpretations of the couple’s behavior, with one saying, “They are either cheating or are very shy.”
Neither Byron nor Cabot, who both have their own families, have yet publicly addressed the developments surrounding the scandal.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, the company indicated that the nature of their relationship was previously unknown to the board. “We are committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the statement read, emphasizing expectations for conduct and accountability. “The board has launched a formal investigation into the issue and will share additional details shortly.”
