According to a report out of The Information, Andy Rubin has taken a leave of absence from his smartphone company, Essential. The full details surrounding the departure seem a bit murky and there are already denials from his reps about why he left, but you should still know the situation since the man runs one of the new Android smartphone makers aiming to become a power player.
The report states that Rubin informed Essential employees on Monday that he was taking a leave. He did so after learning of a report from The Information that detailed an investigation by Google into an “inappropriate relationship” he carried on while on the Android team.
A spokesperson for Rubin denied that his leave and the timing of the report have a connection.
According to The Information, during his time at Google as the head of the Android team, Rubin carried on an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman who worked under him. That person filed a complaint with HR. Google supposedly conducted an investigation into the matter and concluded that Andy Rubin’s behavior was “improper and showed bad judgement.” The investigation reportedly took place in 2014, which is after Rubin left the Android team and moved over to Google’s robotics arm.
Rubin’s spokesperson said that, “Mr. Rubin was never told by Google that he engaged in any misconduct while at Google and he did not, either while at Google or since.” He added that, “Any relationship that Mr. Rubin had while at Google was consensual.”
What does this mean for Essential? Well, he has taken a leave from the company, which doesn’t mean he has quit or been fired or removed. I’m not going to speculate as to why due to the serious nature of the information. We’ll just have to keep you updated as we learn more.
// The Verge | The Information
Man I just received my phone from the Amazon sale today…Should I send it back???
Why is it that all the suits and ties that are in upper management position cant keep their pant zipped up
Its a new way for women to break the glass ceiling.
watch out men, need to get a signed contract before you approach women
Yeah it’s called marriage. What a quaint idea.
After his team told him there is nothing more they can do to fix the software and camera issues on the Essential he must have figured this was an easier way out!
Get back to work Rubin. We need that PH-2. Let’s prioritize here. #FreeRubin
Not like he could get stock Android to run smoothly on his phone anyways. Which is crazy.
I’m assuming the details of the incident are rather salacious, or Andy has been a bad boy at Essential, too. Maybe both? Otherwise, why would an investigation from 4 years ago, by his former employer, no less, matter at all right now?
In any case, if there’s an Essential PH-2, Andy’s role within the company won’t matter to me one bit, and certainly wouldn’t influence my decision to buy said phone.
It still matters because if allegations like this are true, he needs to be held accountable for his actions. Also, the increased scrutiny prevents these actions from continuing wherever men like this are now.
While i agree people need to be held accountable for their actions, i don’t think that, 4 years down the line at a different company, this should affect Rubin’s time with Essential.
This situation happened during his tenure at Google, and whether he was fired or walked away, Google investigated and reached a decision about what was going on. Case closed. Unless further details emerge, this just seems like an unnecessary airing of dirty laundry.
Hopes of an amazing Essential Phone 2, dashed, almost as quickly as 28-3 lead.
Ohhh snap! Superbowl Burn! LOL
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b2cd62565e1872ff79282397be7d2d4e46fe6df574f1dbeceee4024dc8eba261.gif
This domino effect is insane. I saw this and that NBC fired Matt Lauer for similar behaviour in my Google Feed and it’s like, wow, is it really difficult to be a man of so-called “power” and not be a weirdo creep?
Men only think with one head it seems.
TO be fair in this instance it doesnt seem to be he was harassing anyone but he was consensually involved with someone on his team and another person complained about that relationship. He was in violation of policy, not specifically harassment.
That’s not what’s being reported:
“Rubin left Google shortly after an investigation found that he had maintained an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman who worked under him and filed a complaint to HR.”
That doesn’t sound consensual to me.
Allegations do not equal incrimination. I will let due process take it’s course. I am not defending Mr. Rubin.
That goes without saying, really, and in some of my other comments I’ve expressed that sentiment.
Of course that sounds Consensual. The only thing that deemed it inappropriate was the company policy. There’s nothing being reported that even sniffs at sexual harassment.
Since the actual nature of the relationship is unknown atm, really all we have to go by is that the relationship was investigated by Google, it was found to have violated their policy, and the woman herself was the one who filed the complaint not someone else.
If it were nbd and really was a consensual thing by both parties involved, I doubt this be making any sort of waves so there’s gotta be something else here worth such a preemptive action. Regardless, whether true or not, the whole thing is still very much the result of all the other allegations rocking quite a few sectors of the business world.
They do file a report as revenge sometimes as a way to stick it to someone. Man or Woman revenge stuff like this does happen…
https://i.imgur.com/QyZso.gif
The report says that if he was her superior, they were supposed to declare the relationship and she would be moved in departments. This was knowledge on day one. It was consentual.
yes. this is not even 1% of the workforce.
You’ll never know. Lol
Sorry to hear about any of his contacts who felt pain and humiliation but am pissed and felt left down by Rubin but who really hasn’t been upfront to begin with since his company’s announcement in May — a pattern? Anyway, this is the end of Essential IMHO. Curious to see if any further development occurs with this phone and the company. I have until Feb 1 to return the $399 fire sale purchase from Amazon.
Men need to learn how to behave appropriately in the workplace.
Not just in the workplace — every situation!
Here we go….
Truth hurts.
Truth? Like you know the truth of anything. As soon as an accusation comes up the witches come out with their brooms and poster boards ready to crucify men and their evil penises. Grow up
Oh no teh menz! How will they ever survive??????
They won’t if feminist assholes take over and get their way. Women are soooo oppressed.
Women don’t want to be groped and raped by jerks in the workplace. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request at all.
Well that doesn’t include casting stones at every guy that gets accused. How many of these cases are thrown out because they’re garbage claims by women with no merit? Seems like it’s the norm to cry wolf and be a victim
It’s not just men, ask my ex-wife.
So much of the culture today is quick to say “all men” or “all women”. The identity politics stink to high heaven.
“whataboutism”.
Cute. /s
Tell that to the two other families she ruined. No to mention you’re just a little late respond back.
I do have a life, you know.
So do I and the other people who lives were ruined. So you might wanna watch your comments.
I will not watch my comments.
If you didn’t want your life ruined, you shouldn’t sexually harass women. You deserve what you get. I don’t feel bad for you.
Apparently you can’t read correctly. I didn’t sexually harass anyone.
I don’t care if other guys get their lives ruined. They shouldn’t have sexually harassed/assaulted/molested women. Period. Their problem.
WOW! You are not understanding my point. Women are just as guilty as men are. Hence my first comment.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bfbdfae95ca597edc7d2223e744585ec583218014c5dec7cc837909142ae5717.gif
^triggered^
Witch Hunt is online… Allegations do not equal incrimination. Quid pro quo goes both ways. Let due process take it’s course.
What are you even talking about? Most of these people don’t see jail time because they buy their way out of it and they’re saved by archaic laws like statue of limitations.
I’m saying let due process take its course like justice is intended to work. Taking a buyout is a fools band aid. People who take buyouts from real predators are enabling the behavior. The statute of limitations is a very good law to have and is not “archaic”. Look to precedence of US law as to why it’s not “archaic”. The longer you take to bring forth a crime, the harder due process is ensured and only enables a true criminal’s behavior to continue.
Due process only applies in the court of law, not in the court of public opinion.
Get ready for all the “#NotAllMen”
Wow, they are falling all around us. Keep your d**k in your pants gentlemen.
27 people are hoping this doesn’t mean their phone will stop getting updates
I just got one today so make that 28 lol
I got mine 2 days ago. 29. #YoureNotAlone
And mine’s on the way from Amazon, so make it 29.
A few more than that, been loving my PH-1 for the last couple weeks.