It's concerning to hear that several former staffers of Vice President Kamala Harris have come forward, describing her as a "bully" who fostered a toxic work environment.
These individuals recount instances where her harsh outbursts left them in tears, painting a picture of a leadership style that has contributed to a remarkably high staff turnover. According to a report by the non-partisan watchdog group, Open The Books, only four out of the 71 staffers hired in Harris' first year remain in their roles, a staggering turnover rate of 92 percent. This has raised serious concerns about how Harris manages her team.
In my research for the recently published biography Amateur Hour, I was taken aback by the stories of mistreatment shared by my sources. Accounts of Harris’ abrasive leadership date back to her tenure as California's attorney general in 2010. One source revealed that interns would often leave her office in tears, feeling undervalued and dismissed.
This pattern seemed to persist after Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, where her office ranked ninth in staff turnover among 114 senators between 2017 and 2020. Several congressional staffers claimed they had been subjected to her expletive-filled tirades, highlighting a challenging work culture.
Her behavior reportedly transcended party lines as well. During the heated confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Harris allegedly berated a group of Senate staffers, targeting both Democratic and Republican aides indiscriminately—further underscoring her reputation for fostering a toxic atmosphere.
In November 2019, Kelly Mehlenbacher, Harris’ State Operations Director at the time, made headlines when she resigned, sharing a pointed letter with The New York Times in which she criticized the vice president's treatment of staff. Mehlenbacher expressed her dismay at how abruptly employees were dismissed and pointed out serious communication issues within Harris' team.
Sadly, it appears that these problems have continued during Harris’ time as vice president. In interviews with The Washington Post, current and former staffers described a work environment marked by harsh criticism and lack of preparedness, making them feel as though they were working under a bully. Earlier this year, Politico also reported similar claims from staffers, some of whom felt unsupported and mistreated, with people frequently being "thrown under the bus."
Leaders, regardless of their position, must create a respectful and empathetic work environment. Staff should feel valued, supported, and treated fairly. It is crucial for leaders like Kamala Harris to address these issues. Positive leadership and open communication are essential to fostering a healthy and productive workplace.
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