What happened to firing fed bullies? Biden's 'Jekyll and Hyde' science advisor Lander to KEEP job

 

• Celebrated geneticist Dr. Eric Lander was tapped by Biden to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy, which is now a Cabinet level role 
• The White House opened an investigation into his conduct late last year
• An OSTP spox told DailyMail.com the probe found no evidence Lander discriminated on gender but that it was 'credible' he created a toxic workplace 
• OSTP staffers have accused Lander of hurling abuse and deliberately publicly humiliating them, but were afraid to be named over possible retaliation
• The White House is 'taking swift action to ensure that it doesn’t happen again'
• But the unnamed OSTP employees are disappointed Biden isn't going further
• On his first day in office Biden promised to fire workplace bullies 'on the spot' 

President Joe Biden's top science adviser gets to keep his job after an internal White House probe that found 'credible evidence' he bullied subordinates and treated his staff in a way that contradicts the administration's workplace policy, it was revealed on Monday.

Dr. Eric Lander, who heads the Office of Science and Technology Policy, was accused of creating an abusive work environment, demeaning women and berating staff by more than two dozen employees just last year, according to Politico.

The report included details about Lander yelling at colleagues and deliberately demeaning them by asking questions outside of their expertise until they are forced to admit they don't know the answer, with one OSTP employee claiming he had a 'Jekyll and Hyde personality.' 

A White House spokesperson told DailyMail.com a 'full and thorough investigation was conducted' and that it was 'taking swift action to ensure that it doesn’t happen again' but did not say that Lander would be leaving his role -- despite Biden's day-one promise to not tolerate bullies.

Biden had elevated Lander's role to Cabinet level to demonstrate his administration's focus on science and innovation.

But a pledge the president made on January 20 of last year to fire workplace bullies 'on the spot' has been called into question by unnamed OSTP employees who believe the White House's reported disciplinary measures against Lander do not go far enough. 

The employees, more than half of whom accused Lander of causing deliberate public humiliation, asked to remain anonymous in fear of him retaliating against them.  

A probe was opened late last year into accusations that Lander violated the Executive Office of the President's workplace policy, an OSTP spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Politico notes that a complaint filed by former OSTP general counsel Rachel Wallace to Christian Peele, the White House’s deputy director of management and administration for personnel, was at the center of the investigation. Wallace is a career government official who worked within the OSTP under both Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Lander 'retaliated against staff for speaking out and asking questions by calling them names, disparaging them, embarrassing them in front of their peers, laughing at them, shunning them, taking away their duties, and replacing them or driving them out of the agency. Numerous women have been left in tears, traumatized, and feeling vulnerable and isolated,' Wallace told the outlet.

She also reportedly claimed that Lander deliberately demoted her. 

An OSTP spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the probe found no credible evidence of gender-based discrimination and said 'the complaintant’s reassignment was deemed appropriate.'

They also said Lander has since met with senior White House officials on the matter and was reminded of Biden and Chief of Staff Ron Klain's expectations about proper treatment of staff.  

Lander admitted to behaving 'in a disrespectful or demeaning way' toward his staff, which numbers around 140, in an internal email sent late on Friday and obtained by DailyMail.com.

'It’s my responsibility to set a respectful tone for our community. It’s clear that I have not lived up to this responsibility,' Lander wrote.

'I have spoken to colleagues within OSTP in a disrespectful or demeaning way. This is not only wrong, but also inconsistent with our Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy. It is never acceptable for me to speak that way.'

He added: 'I am deeply sorry for my conduct. I especially want to apologize to those of you who I treated poorly, or were present at the time. I also realize that my conduct reflects poorly on this Administration, and interferes with our work. I deeply regret that.'

Lander promised to hold 'regular forums' with his staff to practice a more open and respectful workspace. 

But Wallace told Politico Lander's mea culpa 'did not come close to addressing the full extent of his egregious behavior.'

'Lander's apology was not only disingenuous. It compounded the deep hurt and damage he has caused by ignoring these other acts of aggression, harassment and retaliation,' Wallace told the outlet.

Without going into further detail an OSTP spokesperson told DailyMail.com Lander would now have to 'undertake a number of actions to the correct the behavior' while maintaining that OSTP staff will continue to be supported.

The OSTP spokesperson added that the White House would be monitoring Lander's progress.

When asked for comment on the probe, a White House spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'The White House is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment in which employees can focus their time and energy on working for the American people. The President put in place a first-of-its-kind Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy to maintain a healthy work environment, and has been clear that conduct that is inconsistent with that policy will not be tolerated, and will be addressed appropriately.'

'A full and thorough investigation was conducted pursuant to the Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy. White House leadership met with Dr. Lander to discuss the seriousness of the matter and the President’s expectation that all staff interactions be conducted with respect. We take this incredibly seriously and we are taking swift action to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.'

But a number of OSTP employees who also allegedly experienced abusive behavior firsthand expressed disappointment that Biden and the White House are not going further. The Associated Press reported that Lander will keep his job but will attend counseling.

On his first full day in office, the president said: 'I'm not joking when I say this -- if you ever work 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.' 

One OSTP worker described Lander as having 'a bit of Jekyll and Hyde personality. If he’s in a meeting with external people, he’s positive and ebullient, even. It’s behind closed doors that he changes'

The added of his apparently remaining in his role, 'There are a lot of brilliant people in this country. I completely reject the notion that his brilliance is so singular and critical to the nation that his behavior is excusable.'

Another person made a more direct appeal to the president himself.

'Mr. President, please protect the dignity and well-being of our staff by standing by your zero-tolerance policy,' they said.

The same staffer disputed the White House probe's findings by accusing Lander of 'openly targeting' female employees. 

'The Joe Biden I voted for would never knowingly empower an aggressor like Lander who openly targets women by publicly humiliating, infantilizing and intimidating them into submission,' the third worker said.

'But Lander seems to know he’s protected. The most terrifying part about him is the open and brazen way he conducts his abuse.'

They claimed that after 'repeatedly insulting and humiliating' them, Lander told the staffer in reference to his outburst, 'I hate that I do it.' 

After repeatedly insulting and humiliating me in front of colleagues, Lander acknowledged his inability to control himself, telling me ‘I hate that I do it.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10485331/Bidens-science-advisor-Eric-Lander-bullied-demeaned-staff-White-House-probe-finds.html