Lasseter Taking Sabbatical over "Missteps"

[rteetz]

Pretty sure the article calls out that "hugging" was not the only issue, inappropriate touching and such are also quoted. That alone, should have cause an formal investigation IF and only IF a formal complaint was filed with HR.

I think the Hollywood Reporter has been in question since their first article on this. They specifically named Rashida Jones but then she came out and said the article was not completely true. So do we know what has been said by THR to be all completely true? There is some more credibility though since other news sources have the story as well but it puts the original source in question.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

What choice did they have?? I don't know how many of you are in the large corporate world, but the global company I am part of cannot act until a formal complaint is filed, and action can be taken and investigation can be had. Any other action without a formal complaint leaves a company open to HUGE legal issues and wrongful firing action.

Right, my point was to compare this to Disney action or inaction when we don't know the full situation is with Disney. If a formal complaint was never filed with HR there is only so much Disney can do

I just hope that if he really did the things he is alleged to have done (or similar or worse or whatever) that people can come forward formally and the truth can come out and Disney can act appropriately

 

[erin1715]

I would sincerely hope that Disney is investigating. They haven't said they are investigating, have they? They may have and I just missed it.

I can see how a formal complaint would need to be filed for an investigation to proceed, though.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I would sincerely hope that Disney is investigating. They haven't said they are investigating, have they? They may have and I just missed it.

I can see how a formal complaint would need to be filed for an investigation to proceed, though.

It's always tough with HR and just legal aspects so even if they are they might not be able to release that fact if the person who filed the complaint didn't want it out, etc.

If in 6 months he returns and it is like nothing happened and is working on Toy Story 5 or whatever I will be disappointed as obviously "something" happened (and likely a lot of "things") - but sometimes things do take time to play out via the proper channels

 

[JaxDad]

It's always tough with HR and just legal aspects so even if they are they might not be able to release that fact if the person who filed the complaint didn't want it out, etc.

If in 6 months he returns and it is like nothing happened and is working on Toy Story 5 or whatever I will be disappointed as obviously "something" happened (and likely a lot of "things") - but sometimes things do take time to play out via the proper channels

Didn't you previously post that you would be disappointed if we have not heard anything from Disney corporate within the week?

 

[erin1715]

If you google his name, there are a few different articles that come up. My problem is I have no idea who's reliable these days.

Here is one https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/disney-pixar-john-lasseter-leave-allegations

And another http://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-r...igating-allegations-john-lasseter-155052.html

In the Cartoon Brew article, there are claims that this was well known for a long time, and Iger knew too.

But again, what to believe.

 

[rteetz]

But again, what to believe.

That's just it and Disney isn't commenting further than the statement Lasseter put out himself.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

Ok, I have to chime in here. I feel like I need to make my own Chris Crocker inspired video "Leave Lasseter Alone!"

Not that I compare myself to Lasseter, but his situation is very similar to something that happened to me. I am a hugger. I hug many people, every day. Men, women, coworkers, teachers, the lady at the cafeteria that I see every day and share a laugh with - I'm a hugger. I used to be MORE of a hugger in high school and under grad. I would hug people when I first met them, when parting ways with friends for the day/evening, greeting people at lunch- this wasn't weird and I wasn't the only one. This was our social group, part of our own culture, intended to be welcoming and affirming. I was aware that not everyone was "a hugger" and some people let us know their preferences, no big deal.

This behavior changed when I was president of my sorority and one pledge filed a complaint about me. Apparently, since I was the chapter president, this pledge felt threatened that I would black ball her for saying something and the rumors and gossip got out of control. The situation blew up and became unrecognizable- I heard that I was a lesbian and had come on to her, tried to get her alcohol even though she was underage, that I threatened her. All BS, nothing close to what she reported, but the rumor mill just took off and went crazy. Of course, there were dozens of people that could speak to me hugging everyone and that added fuel to the fire.

We had a sit down with the chapter advisor and the Dean. Turned out she had a history of abuse as a child and was uncomfortable that I hugged her to welcome her to one of our pledge events. So, one girl, one hug, one event. Thank God my advisor knew me so well and didn't believe the rumors, and my sorority sisters were there for me too, but the other Greeks had a field day. The situation could have affected my ability to graduate on time.

Professionally, people hug in my workplace All. The. Time. I am a critical care pharmacist for a large hospital and trauma center. Maybe it is so prevalent because our job involves a lot of patient contact and dealing compassionately with families. There is a Respiratory Therapist that covers critical care areas, and we hug every day when we see each other the first time. One day I was sitting in my semi-private alcove and he popped in to say hi. I did not get up and hug him, but he started massaging my shoulders- which I was not okay with! I said, "Whoa, Chris- I'm not sure that's entirely appropriate." He stopped immediately, apologized and we carried on with our conversation. About a week later I saw him massaging the shoulders of an RN, and there were two other nurses waiting for their turn! Free chair massage! There was no reason for me to run off and report anything to HR. When he massaged my shoulders, that was unwanted and made me uncomfortable. I said something, we moved on. The chair massages for the nurses were clearly wanted and did not affect me in any way. I still hug Chris, as well as nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, doctors and Lorena, the cafeteria lady.

I feel like I would get along very well with John Lasseter and he is still in my Top 5 people to have at my Fantasy Dinner table. I think he is an alcoholic, sounds like a happy drunk vs a belligerent drunk, and he needs help to get and stay sober. All the "anonymous sources" cited by the Hollywood Reporter come across as gossip and rumors. They named Rashida Jones and she wasted no time correcting them. I highly doubt we will get any new information about Lasseter. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged and Matt Lauer was fired. All much bigger names than some guy at Pixar Animation.

To me, it is difficult with all the accusations flying around in the media to sort which ones are more serious. Recently, it seems like any guy that has even complimented a co-workers hairstyle has contributed to a hostile work environment and deserves to be fired, which is ridiculous. I hope Lasseter can get sober, figure out whatever boundaries he needs to put in place, and comes back with more great stories to tell.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Didn't you previously post that you would be disappointed if we have not heard anything from Disney corporate within the week?

I would be if we didn't hear anything yes - but not sure what they can share but ideally they would say they are investigating, etc.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I would be if we didn't hear anything yes - but not sure what they can share but ideally they would say they are investigating, etc.

Which they have not...and it's now been a week...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Which they have not...and it's now been a week...

and it is disappointing to someone who would like to see it addressed - but also understandable sometimes they can't go public and we still don't know what they are or aren't doing

 

[JaxDad]

I would be if we didn't hear anything yes - but not sure what they can share but ideally they would say they are investigating, etc.

That is what I would like to hear too. I thought giving them a week was reasonable, especially with the holiday and the Coco release. If they say nothing in six months, whether Lasseter returns or not, it would be totally unacceptable (but keeping with my fear that they are just trying to ride this out).

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That is what I would like to hear too. I thought giving them a week was reasonable, especially with the holiday and the Coco release. If they say nothing in six months, whether Lasseter returns or not, it would be totally unacceptable (but keeping with my fear that they are just trying to ride this out).

I agree - though with it really just being that one story and at least part of it being refuted (the motivation for Rashida Jones leaving) it does seem a bit different than, say, the Matt Lauer case so we just can't expect everything to happen at the same pace and/or the pace we would like .... and I'd rather them take a bit more time to ensure they are doing their investigation properly and looking not just at the individual but how a culture that allowed this to happen was able to exist and put in measure to fix that as well - vs just rush to judgement and then something come out that it wasn't all factual, and then law suits, etc.

 

[JaxDad]

I agree - though with it really just being that one story and at least part of it being refuted (the motivation for Rashida Jones leaving) it does seem a bit different than, say, the Matt Lauer case so we just can't expect everything to happen at the same pace and/or the pace we would like .... and I'd rather them take a bit more time to ensure they are doing their investigation properly and looking not just at the individual but how a culture that allowed this to happen was able to exist and put in measure to fix that as well - vs just rush to judgement and then something come out that it wasn't all factual, and then law suits, etc.

Perhaps, but a six month sabbatical is a response that begs many questions. I don't think they would do that for "one story." And why not actually suspend him until further notice rather than place him on a definitive duration sabbatical? I have no problem with paying him, but for six months? To do what exactly? I'm a shareholder. I don't want senior leaderships taking sabbaticals. I want them earning, or if they are guilty of wrongdoing, I want them gone. What is supposed to change in six months? Anything? It all sounds like a stall job.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Perhaps, but a six month sabbatical is a response that begs many questions. I don't think they would do that for "one story." And why not actually suspend him until further notice rather than place him on a definitive duration sabbatical? I have no problem with paying him, but for six months? To do what exactly? I'm a shareholder. I don't want senior leaderships taking sabbaticals. I want them earning, or if they are guilty of wrongdoing, I want them gone. What is supposed to change in six months? Anything? It all sounds like a stall job.

I get that - and maybe was just something that could be done/ all sides agreed to quickly to get ahead of it ... and while I suspect he is getting paid I don't think it was every confirmed if he was still getting paid or not (I know at my job if I were to take a leave/sabbatical I wouldn't get paid). And maybe he enrolls in an alcohol program that takes 6 months, or something

I do think it is interested they specifically said 6 months rather than just not give an end date

 

[Capang]

I find the silence from Disney a bit unsettling. I am sure they are investigating internally and who knows if we will ever know what really happened. That said if anything good can come from this maybe the culture at Pixar can change. I’m not super optimistic about that, but one can dream.

 

[mom2rtk]

I find the silence from Disney a bit unsettling.

Me too.

 

[paradesintherain]

Ok, I have to chime in here. I feel like I need to make my own Chris Crocker inspired video "Leave Lasseter Alone!"

Not that I compare myself to Lasseter, but his situation is very similar to something that happened to me. I am a hugger. I hug many people, every day. Men, women, coworkers, teachers, the lady at the cafeteria that I see every day and share a laugh with - I'm a hugger. I used to be MORE of a hugger in high school and under grad. I would hug people when I first met them, when parting ways with friends for the day/evening, greeting people at lunch- this wasn't weird and I wasn't the only one. This was our social group, part of our own culture, intended to be welcoming and affirming. I was aware that not everyone was "a hugger" and some people let us know their preferences, no big deal.

This behavior changed when I was president of my sorority and one pledge filed a complaint about me. Apparently, since I was the chapter president, this pledge felt threatened that I would black ball her for saying something and the rumors and gossip got out of control. The situation blew up and became unrecognizable- I heard that I was a lesbian and had come on to her, tried to get her alcohol even though she was underage, that I threatened her. All BS, nothing close to what she reported, but the rumor mill just took off and went crazy. Of course, there were dozens of people that could speak to me hugging everyone and that added fuel to the fire.

We had a sit down with the chapter advisor and the Dean. Turned out she had a history of abuse as a child and was uncomfortable that I hugged her to welcome her to one of our pledge events. So, one girl, one hug, one event. Thank God my advisor knew me so well and didn't believe the rumors, and my sorority sisters were there for me too, but the other Greeks had a field day. The situation could have affected my ability to graduate on time.

Professionally, people hug in my workplace All. The. Time. I am a critical care pharmacist for a large hospital and trauma center. Maybe it is so prevalent because our job involves a lot of patient contact and dealing compassionately with families. There is a Respiratory Therapist that covers critical care areas, and we hug every day when we see each other the first time. One day I was sitting in my semi-private alcove and he popped in to say hi. I did not get up and hug him, but he started massaging my shoulders- which I was not okay with! I said, "Whoa, Chris- I'm not sure that's entirely appropriate." He stopped immediately, apologized and we carried on with our conversation. About a week later I saw him massaging the shoulders of an RN, and there were two other nurses waiting for their turn! Free chair massage! There was no reason for me to run off and report anything to HR. When he massaged my shoulders, that was unwanted and made me uncomfortable. I said something, we moved on. The chair massages for the nurses were clearly wanted and did not affect me in any way. I still hug Chris, as well as nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, doctors and Lorena, the cafeteria lady.

I feel like I would get along very well with John Lasseter and he is still in my Top 5 people to have at my Fantasy Dinner table. I think he is an alcoholic, sounds like a happy drunk vs a belligerent drunk, and he needs help to get and stay sober. All the "anonymous sources" cited by the Hollywood Reporter come across as gossip and rumors. They named Rashida Jones and she wasted no time correcting them. I highly doubt we will get any new information about Lasseter. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged and Matt Lauer was fired. All much bigger names than some guy at Pixar Animation.

To me, it is difficult with all the accusations flying around in the media to sort which ones are more serious. Recently, it seems like any guy that has even complimented a co-workers hairstyle has contributed to a hostile work environment and deserves to be fired, which is ridiculous. I hope Lasseter can get sober, figure out whatever boundaries he needs to put in place, and comes back with more great stories to tell.

I'm sorry that happened to you but I think you're severely diminishing the situation and what the victims went through. This wasn't simply about hugging and just because hugging happens at workplaces doesn't mean that it's appropriate or that everyone involved is comfortable with it.

I work at a hospital too and I definitely don't want any of my coworkers hugging me, ESPECIALLY not coworkers who are my superiors.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree with those who say that Disney might be doing a lot behind the scenes. They could be talking to people who have stories to tell for all we know. After all, not everyone goes to the press.

 

[umichigan10]

I agree with those who say that Disney might be doing a lot behind the scenes. They could be talking to people who have stories to tell for all we know. After all, not everyone goes to the press.

As fox mulder once said “I wanna believe” that that’s true. I just get worried when you hear reports that NBC largely looked the other way at some of Matt Lauer’s antics that Disney could be/could have done the same