The fallout from a now-viral video featuring Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert continues to generate headlines. The footage, filmed during a 'kiss cam' moment at Gillette Stadium on 16 July, appeared to show the two executives in a close and possibly intimate encounter.
Following Byron's resignation days later, public attention has shifted towards Cabot's employment status. While no formal announcement has been made regarding her role, her continued presence on the company's leadership page has fuelled speculation that she remains employed, at least in title, as the internal investigation continues.
Placed on Leave But Not Dismissed
Astronomer posted on X, formerly Twitter, placed both Byron and Cabot on administrative leave immediately after the incident, pending an internal investigation. While Byron resigned shortly thereafter, Cabot remained formally employed. Her name is still listed on the company's leadership page, though she is not currently active in her role.
Despite increasing pressure from staff and social media users calling for her removal, no formal termination has been announced, The Sun reported. This suggests the company is proceeding with caution, likely due to legal or contractual considerations.
Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO given Andy Byron has been placed on leave.
— Astronomer (@astronomerio) July 19, 2025
We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/VfgWPnfycl
Legal and Contractual Factors at Play
Employment law experts suggest that Cabot's position as head of HR may come with substantial contractual protections, including severance clauses. Dismissing her prematurely, without completing the company's inquiry, could expose Astronomer to litigation or breach of contract claims.
'In a real-world big company, you can't just fire someone because the headlines are ugly', said solicitor Nicole Brenecki to the New York Post. 'There are likely contracts, internal investigations, and legal issues involved'.
There are no confirmed reports that Cabot is negotiating a severance or exit deal. However, her continued presence on the company's leadership page and the lack of updates have fuelled speculation that Astronomer may be handling the matter quietly behind the scenes.
Ongoing Investigation and Reputational Risk
Astronomer has not yet released findings from its internal investigation. Interim CEO Pete DeJoy acknowledged the scandal in a company-wide memo, describing the moment as 'surreal' and promising transparency once the review is complete.
While Astronomer has not released findings from its internal review, legal analysts note that companies are generally obligated to follow due process before making employment decisions, especially for senior personnel with contractual protections. If the investigation substantiates a breach of company policy, disciplinary action may be required in order to uphold the integrity of the HR function.
Rebuilding Trust While Managing Fallout
The company now faces the dual challenge of maintaining employee trust while navigating growing external reputational damage. With Byron already resigned, Astronomer may feel pressure to make a clean break from all executives tied to the controversy to avoid further internal unrest and media attention.
At the time of writing, Kristin Cabot has not been dismissed. Her future at the company rests on the outcome of the internal investigation and the strategic path Astronomer chooses to rebuild its public image. Whether she departs voluntarily, negotiates an exit, or remains in her role following the investigation, her employment status is likely to depend on the outcome of internal procedures and Astronomer's broader efforts to restore trust.
