Jolanda Jones’ three staff members have left her office, claiming the Houston Democrat has fostered an “abusive and hostile” work atmosphere.
In a letter to Jones that The Texas Tribune was able to receive, the chief of staff Kory Haywood, legislative director Catherine Mouer, and district director Yesenia Wences complained that Jones often threatened to dismiss employees and assigned staff members to tasks unrelated to official business.
“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 states. “But, to no avail; we haven’t seen any success.”
Also, the former workers said Jones had done nothing to stop what they perceived to be an inappropriate relationship between the lawmaker’s son Jio and an office intern. They added that the legislator gave employees instructions to help arrange medical care for a relative.
In a statement released on Thursday, Jones described the “daily fight” he engages in on behalf of people as a difficult and challenging job in the Legislature.
Jones remarked, “Some of my staff have decided this position is not for them.” On their future activities, “I wish them luck and prosperity.”
Here is more interesting news:
The complaints against Jones were discovered by the speaker’s office on Wednesday, according to Cassi Pollock, a spokesperson for House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Republican from Beaumont. The spokesperson added that the complaints would be investigated to determine whether the lawmaker violated any House rules.
“The Speaker’s office takes all allegations seriously and expects that this matter will be addressed and resolved as soon as possible,” Pollock said.
Jones, who was first elected to the Legislature last year, has held previous positions on the Houston City Council and as a trustee for the Houston Independent School System. She has occasionally struggled to keep her cool with her coworkers.
FOX26Houston tweeted that The senior staff of Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones sends in a letter of resignation after claiming Jones created an abusive and hostile work environment. You can see below:
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 Houston Chronicle, she got into a 30-second shouting altercation with another trustee in 2018 at a retreat for Houston ISD board members. The publication also highlighted her statements labeling another trustee a thief and criminal with “no moral character” and describing her as “vocally hostile” with state education officials.
