News Summary
Governor Kathy Hochul’s response to sexual harassment allegations has come under fire following the resignation of her former press secretary, Avi Small. Small’s departure, linked to allegations of misconduct, has raised concerns about workplace dynamics within the administration. While Hochul touts reforms aimed at improving workplace safety, critics argue that there is still a protective culture for alleged harassers. The situation signals ongoing challenges in addressing harassment in governmental workplaces.
New York – Governor Kathy Hochul’s handling of sexual harassment allegations came under scrutiny after the resignation of Avi Small, her former press secretary, on July 4, 2023. Small stepped down following allegations of sexual harassment involving a male coworker at an Albany bar after a staff retreat.
The incident, which took place on June 16, 2023, led to Small being placed on administrative leave prior to his resignation. Small had been one of Hochul’s top aides since joining her team in 2021, first serving as deputy press secretary before being elevated to the press secretary position. His departure raises questions about the leadership dynamics within Hochul’s office and the efficacy of the measures implemented to tackle workplace misconduct in Albany.
Small’s resignation is only the latest in a series of concerning allegations surrounding his behavior. In 2022, he was investigated for creating a toxic workplace, with reports of him berating multiple employees. Despite this previous investigation, Hochul retained Small in her administration, framing it as part of an effort to foster a culture of accountability and transparency in Albany.
Governor Hochul delivered a statement asserting that her administration is making progress in addressing workplace misconduct. She emphasized the establishment of the strongest workforce protections and reinforced a zero-tolerance policy for any form of misconduct, suggesting that recent changes have encouraged employees to feel more comfortable coming forward with complaints.
Since taking office in 2021, Hochul has actively worked to reform state policies regarding harassment, particularly following the resignation of her predecessor, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, due to sexual harassment accusations. Under her leadership, the state has seen the creation of a dedicated human resources department, mandatory discrimination and harassment training for employees, and the introduction of a hotline for anonymous reporting of sexual harassment complaints.
Despite Hochul’s optimistic portrayal of the changes in her administration, Erica Vladimer, the director of Harassment Free New York, challenged the effectiveness of the current policies. Vladimer indicated that the existing system still tends to protect alleged harassers rather than the individuals bringing forth complaints, underscoring the need for a deeper investigation into the culture within the administration and past treatment of employees, including Small’s conduct.
While Hochul refrained from discussing the specifics of the allegations against Small, she asserted confidence in her administration’s ability to properly handle complaints of misconduct. This highlights a critical balance that Hochul aims to strike between supporting victims of harassment and upholding the integrity of the workplace environment.
The implications of Small’s resignation and the surrounding allegations have cast a shadow over Hochul’s ambitions to lead by example in New York. As Hochul continues to advocate for reform and protection in the workplace, the effectiveness of her administration’s policies will be watched closely by both advocates and critics alike.
In summary, while Gov. Kathy Hochul has implemented significant reforms to improve workplace safety and accountability, the situation with Avi Small raises important questions about the ongoing challenges of addressing systemic issues related to harassment in government workplaces, as well as the responsiveness of the leadership to such allegations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Spectrum Local News
- Wikipedia: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- Times Union
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Harassment
- CBS6 Albany
- Google News: Sexual Harassment New York
- New York Post
- Google Search: Governor Kathy Hochul Sexual Harassment Policies
- News and Tribune
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
