Poets House Suspends Operations Amid Pandemic; Employees Cry Foul

Following the announcement that Poets House would suspend operations, a group of anonymous former employees released a counterstatement. The release argues that the organization's "unexpected closure follows months of staff-led organizing to hold management and the board accountable in light of frequent complaints of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and exploitative labor practices." In addition, the anonymous employees assert their belief that the closure and layoffs were "a direct, retaliatory response to our efforts to form a union at Poets House with UAW Local 2110 and to address discriminatory and exploitative practices at the institution."