The MBTA will pay close to half a million dollars to an employee who said General Manager Phil Eng pulled her hair during a work-related event in 2024.
The T will pay $495,000 in supplemental wages, damages and legal fees to MBTA Chief Communication Officer Gabrielle Mondestin, according to the settlement released Friday. Mondestin will resign from her role on Sept. 18, after the T requested she stay on until then “to assist in transitioning her duties and responsibilities.”
In a joint press release attached to the settlement, Mondestin said that “while some of my experiences have been difficult,” she was grateful for her time at the T.
“I also am appreciative that the MBTA’s leadership has recommitted today to listening to its employees and working to create a fair and respectful work environment for all,” she said.
In June, Eng told The Boston Globe he regretted pulling Mondestin’s hair at the end of an MBTA team dinner two years ago, calling his actions “insensitive.”
“I regret my actions, have learned from this experience and appreciate Ms. Mondestin’s focus on assuring that the MBTA learns from it as well,” Eng said Friday in the joint release. Eng is also serving as the state’s interim transportation secretary.
In the same statement, the T thanked Mondestin for her service to the agency, and for coming forward with her complaint.
“The Authority recognizes that it can be difficult for employees to speak out about problems in the workplace, and it appreciates that Ms. Mondestin shared her specific concern and that our team had an opportunity to listen, respond, and learn.”
