Hostile Workplace Prompts St. Pete Spokeswoman To Resign: Letter

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The communications director for St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch’s administration stepped down from the role Thursday, alleging a “hostile work environment” in her resignation letter.

“After our discussion on August 30, 2022, I have determined that the disclosed hostile work environment, lack of communication or guidance, and overall culture of bullying, all related to my direct supervisor, were not adequately addressed, and thus warrant my immediate departure from this administration,” Janelle Irwin Taylor wrote in her letter to the mayor.

A longtime journalist in the Tampa Bay area, she previously served as a senior editor for Florida Politics and as a senior reporter and news anchor for the WMNF radio station. She stepped away from journalism to join Welch’s administration in January, according to Florida Politics.

“I felt like I had kind of hit this ceiling in my career as a journalist and the only way to go any further or grow professionally was to exit the stuff I love,” Irwin Taylor said at the time. “It seemed like the time was right to open a new door and branch off and go in a slightly different direction.”

In her resignation letter, she told Welch, “I want to thank you for the opportunity to expand my expertise and serve this administration and the city I love.”

Irwin Taylor added, “I commend the large team of qualified professionals on city staff who have worked diligently and successfully with me throughout my tenure and am confident these individuals will continue to serve the city well.”

Patch has reached out to Mayor Welch for comment.