Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal has been accused of mistreating her staff members, according to a new BuzzFeed News report that claims it spent months conducting interviews with current and former staffers.
“Despite the fact that Jayapal is one of the highest-profile progressives in DC and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, 14 former staffers from throughout her nearly five years in Congress describe a dysfunctional and volatile workplace,” BuzzFeed reported.
“There is, they said, a serious disconnect between how she talks about workers’ rights and how she treats her own staff,” the report added.
“Pramila Jayapal has made her name in Congress as a worker’s advocate. But it’s an open secret on Capitol Hill that staffers say working for her is miserable,” BuzzFeed tweeted.
Pramila Jayapal has made her name in Congress as a worker’s advocate. But it’s an open secret on Capitol Hill that staffers say working for her is miserable. https://t.co/L7UqBMsKFc
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 14, 2021
“Pramila Jayapal is one of Congress’s leading progressives. But former staffers say there is a serious disconnect between how she talks about workers’ rights and how she treats her own staff,” another tweet added.
NEW: Pramila Jayapal is one of Congress’s leading progressives. But former staffers say there is a serious disconnect between how she talks about workers’ rights and how she treats her own staff. https://t.co/L7UqBMKlwK
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 14, 2021
Jayapal may focus on the rights of American workers, but her reputation in her own office appears to be lacking. The report may also harm the congresswoman in the 2022 midterm elections, though the new information will hopefully lead to positive change among those on her staff team.