Former employees of Justin Baldoni‘s Wayfarer Studios spoke to the Los Angeles Times this week, detailing the filmmaker’s “toxic positivity” issues and what type of workplace he cultivated.
What did Justin Baldoni’s former employees say about him?
In the report, former workers spoke up about what it was like to work with Baldoni while they were at Wayfarer. According to one former employee, it was an environment of “constant positivity,” bordering on an almost toxic workplace due to it.
“It was constant positivity all the time — I would say toxic positivity,” said one former Wayfarer staffer. “I’m always a little dubious of people who advertise themselves as disruptors of the status quo or quote-unquote ‘good people.’ It felt phony.”
The report also dives into Baldoni’s efforts to better himself and become an ally to the feminist cause, which is reported to have begun in earnest after the birth of his daughter in 2015. However, the report notes that many believed his big changes and drive to improve his image were “performative,” and more about changing his image than anything else.
In a statement on the report, a spokesperson for Wayfarer and Baldoni noted that there were “never” any complaints about workplace culture issues reported to anyone.
“There have never been any reported complaints regarding the workplace culture, or any communicated issues regarding the platforms of its founders,” said the message. “If any guidance was ever provided to employees of how to conduct their written correspondence, it was to ensure that the activities of its employees remained professional and aligned with the ethos of the company. Wayfarer believes that joy and positivity are the essence of good work, and they stand by this statement.”
Baldoni’s religious views also seen as a driving force for the company
The report also mentions that Baldoni’s commitment to the Baháʼí faith — a religion founded in the 19th century that teaches the worth of all religions and the unity of all people — would often rub people the wrong way, and that the principles of the religion quickly became a “driving force” for what they did.
“[Baháʼí] values were a driving force behind everything they did,” said a different former employee. “It came up routinely. As a newer [Baháʼí] member, [Wayferer Studios’ co-founder and Paylocity founder Steve Sarowitz] wanted to talk about it all the time.”
Speaking on the report, a spokesperson for Baldoni and Wayferer acknowledged the company’s belief systems, but said that employees are encouraged to celebrate their own beliefs however they see fit.
“As all of Wayfarer’s projects are rooted in a belief system that stems from various faiths and backgrounds, speaking from a place of spirituality is commonplace,” the spokesperson told The Times. “Employees are encouraged to celebrate and practice their individual beliefs however they see fit, a message which is proudly supported by leadership.”
