A Democratic Rep. stands accused of fostering a hostile work environment as some of her staffers walked away from her camp.
Three of the senior staff members for Rep. Jolanda Jones (D-TX) have resigned from their positions, citing a “hostile workplace” and accusing the congresswoman of creating an “abusive and hostile work environment.”
In a letter obtained by Fox 26, chief of staff Kory Haywood, district director Yesenia Wences and legislative director Catherine Mouer wrote to Jones explaining their concerns about the workplace atmosphere.
The senior staff of Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones sends in a letter of resignation after claiming Jones created an abusive and hostile work environment. https://t.co/A0bG9Z854d pic.twitter.com/bprM9pOoHJ
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 31, 2023
The letter stated that the senior staff members repeatedly tried to address the type of work environment that Jones had created over the last month, but their efforts saw no success.
“We, as a collective of senior staff, have repeatedly attempted to curb your behavior and address the type of work environment you have bred over the last month,” the letter read.
The former employees claimed that Jones had continued to endorse and encourage such an environment without any accountability for her actions or those of her relatives.
The relative hinted at in the letter is Jones’s son, Jiovanni “Jio” Christian Jones, who the staffers accuse of having an inappropriate relationship with an intern who worked in the office. The former employees alleged that Jones turned a blind eye to the inappropriate relationship and failed to intervene.
The staff members also complained that Rep. Jones got them involved in affairs unrelated to the state and threatened to fire them while making them feel unsafe in their positions. She also allegedly made them work outside business hours.
The letter further implied that the Houston native is the opposite of what a public servant should be. Rather than prioritize the public good before herself, she reportedly uses her position to “acquire more power” and pursue her “self-interests.”
The accusations have stirred public concern, as they point to a culture of abuse and intimidation within Jones’ office. A spokesperson for House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-TX) said the speaker’s office would review the allegations to determine if Jones broke any House rules.
Jones, a freshman congresswoman who was sworn into office in May 2022, reportedly responded to the employees’ departure with a statement pointing to a “stressful” and “demanding” nature of “working in Texas legislature.”
“Some on my staff have decided this job is not for them. I wish them good luck and success in their next endeavors,” she stated.
