A brief moment of concert crowd fun has turned into a public relations and legal disaster for tech company Astronomer. CEO Andy Byron and the firm’s head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, were caught on camera looking intimate at a Coldplay concert, and now the implications are spiraling far beyond viral embarrassment.
The two, identified by online sleuths within hours of the incident, were shown snuggled against the railing during the band’s performance at Gillette Stadium, prompting frontman Chris Martin to riff, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The quip became a viral clip overnight. But the real firestorm began when it was revealed that Byron is married and Cabot, divorced since 2022, is not only his subordinate but also the company’s top HR executive.
Employment lawyers say the situation could be catastrophic for both individuals and the company. “It’s horrible because she is the head of HR,” said attorney William Cafaro. “She’s involved in an extramarital affair with the CEO, basically, how much worse of an HR faux pas could you commit?” Cafaro added that Cabot’s position is now likely untenable. “How can she enforce discipline or HR policy when she’s in this type of relationship with the boss?”
While Byron’s fate will be determined by Astronomer’s board of directors, Cabot’s job appears far more precarious. Helen Rella, an employment litigator, warned of broader legal consequences, including the potential for claims of favoritism or retaliation by other employees. “A relationship like this opens the door for massive liability,” she said.
Cabot’s past remarks about building trust in the workplace have also resurfaced, fueling online ridicule. On LinkedIn, she once claimed her greatest HR strength was earning “trust at all levels.” Now, users are flooding her profile with mocking comments.
Neither Byron nor Cabot has issued a statement, and Astronomer remains silent as the scandal threatens its leadership and reputation.
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