MBTA GM – MBTA General Manager and interim Transportation Secretary Phillip Eng apologized for what he called an “insensitive interaction” during a 2024 dinner, when he allegedly pulled another employee’s hair after joking about his own baldness. The employee raised con
The apology landed quietly, but the moment it describes has lingered inside the MBTA for nearly two years.
Phillip Eng. the MBTA general manager and the state’s interim transportation secretary. apologized for what he called an “insensitive interaction” he allegedly had during a 2024 team dinner with MBTA employees and their spouses. In the account reported by WHDH, Eng pulled another T employee’s hair. He later said he made the mistake and took responsibility for it.
Eng’s apology was tied to what happened earlier in that same evening. The group had reportedly discussed hair before the dinner’s interaction. and Eng poked fun at his own baldness. WHDH reported. When the discussion turned to hair. the employee Eng allegedly pulled raised concerns with the MBTA’s human resources and legal departments. though the employee never filed a formal complaint. according to WCVB.
Eng, who has led the MBTA since 2023, delivered his statement to WHDH. “My goal is always to lead with respect and inclusivity. I know that this was a mistake, and I own that,” he said. He added that he had apologized to the employee fully and reflected on his actions. saying he is committed to learning from the experience and upholding the highest standards of professionalism in all his interactions as secretary and general manager.
The MBTA did not respond immediately to a request for comment Friday morning, and the 2024 incident was first reported by Contrarian Boston.
Taken together. the facts leave little room to miss what happened and why it matters: a workplace dinner meant for employees and their spouses turned into an allegation of unwanted physical contact. followed by internal concerns raised to human resources and legal. but no formal complaint. Eng’s public apology now asks the institution to look at what was said. what was done. and what was — at least on paper — never officially filed.
MBTA Phillip Eng interim transportation secretary apology workplace incident hair pulling human resources