Time’s Up announces major ‘reset’ after Cuomo scandal

Time’s Up announced a “major reset” after the organization faced backlash for its members’ role in the sexual harassment accusations of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). 

The Board of Directors announced Friday the group would have this reset for the women’s rights organization as a plan was put forward on Friday afternoon to employees.

The announcement follows president and CEO Tina Tchen resigning in August after a report by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) showed she helped Cuomo after he was accused of sexual assault.

The report found she edited an unpublished letter attempting to discredit one of Cuomo’s victims and told the outlet to “stand down” on immediately supporting alleged victim Lindsey Boylan.

The statement from Time’s Up says current programmatic operations will cease at the beginning of 2022, and staff who are leaving the organization will get their severance through March 1, 2022. 

“This is a needed reset, not a retreat,” Board Chair Gabrielle Sulzberger said. “TIME’S UP stands for accountability and systematic change in the workplace. It is incumbent on us to learn from these findings, and focus on building an organization that powerfully serves women of all kinds and ends the impunity of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.”

A transition team will oversee the plan to reset the organization that is aimed at building a more inclusive, transparent and focused group. 

The team will help develop new methods and operational processes for the group. 

“We persevere. We will not lose the ground gained for women’s equality and safety over these last several years,” Bandele said. “Our movement and the stakes for our entire society and future generations are so much bigger than one organization or title. We will continue to make significant contributions, both through work led by TIME’S UP and beyond.”