San José Mayor Matt Mahan is facing allegations of a toxic work environment less than a year after taking office. These include claims stretching back to Mahan’s time as a member of the City Council, which he served until 2023.
Dozens of current and former employees spoke to San José Spotlight about the allegations.
“Five employees corroborated a range of difficult work experiences that led to frustration and feeling overwhelmed. Others spoke highly of the mayor, calling him a fair leader and mentor. Most declined to comment. San José Spotlight granted anonymity to staffers who feared retribution,” according to the publication.
Among the accusations are that Mayan speaks down to people, overworks employees, and uses city staff and resources for personal errands.
Six people have left the mayor’s office since Mahan assumed the mantle in January, according to San José Spotlight. That’s triple the amount of turnover experienced by other freshman office holders during the same time period, data from the city’s office of employee relations show.
Mayan has denied the claims.
“We’ve prioritized creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable saying what they think, proposing solutions and pushing for better outcomes,” he said. “I’m committed to a culture of continuous improvement so we’re always looking to get better, and our team is one of the best I’ve had the honor of leading.”