Blue Origin Complaint: Author Disputes Termination Reason

Blue Origin Addresses Workplace Concerns

Following accusations of a challenging work environment, Blue Origin’s CEO, Bob Smith, promptly issued an internal communication to employees on Thursday. The message encouraged personnel to directly share any concerns with him or utilize the company’s confidential, anonymous reporting system.

It is typical for organizations, including Blue Origin, to prioritize resolving complaints through internal channels rather than public discourse.

Essay Details Allegations

Smith’s letter, initially reported by CNBC, was released in response to an essay collaboratively authored by 21 present and former Blue Origin employees. This document outlined significant issues pertaining to workplace safety and instances of alleged sexual harassment.

Alexandra Abrams, previously the head of employee communications, is the only author publicly identified. She explained to TechCrunch that her decision to reveal her identity stemmed from a sense of obligation to her colleagues.

Integrity and Communication

“I came to believe that my professional integrity had been compromised during my time at Blue Origin,” Abrams stated. “I endeavored to perform my duties effectively, but a significant part of my role involved enhancing Bob’s public image.”

Specific Concerns Raised

The essay highlights two reported incidents of sexual harassment involving senior leadership. One instance involved the dismissal of a leader after allegations of inappropriate physical contact with a female employee. Notably, Abrams pointed out that only five of the 21 contributors to the essay were male.

Furthermore, the essay alleges that safety protocols at Blue Origin were often compromised in favor of rapid project completion. Leadership reportedly pushed for an accelerated timeline without providing sufficient personnel or resources.

Comparison to SpaceX

“Blue Origin has consistently been understaffed when compared to SpaceX,” Abrams observed.

Blue Origin’s Response

Blue Origin released a statement asserting that Abrams’ employment was terminated “for cause” two years ago, following multiple warnings related to violations of federal export control regulations.

However, Abrams refutes this claim, stating she never received any formal warnings, either written or verbal, concerning such regulations.

The Voyager App and Termination

Instead, Abrams contends that her dismissal occurred after she initiated a project to develop an internal employee application. Shortly after the app, named Voyager, was launched, a security vulnerability was discovered within its architecture.

This posed a significant concern, given the stringent compliance requirements for communications tools in the aerospace industry, specifically adherence to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) governing defense and space technology.

Escalation and Aftermath

Abrams asserts she immediately reported the issue. While an investigation by senior management found no actual export violations, she alleges she was subsequently informed that “trust had been broken” and was subsequently terminated.

“As a communications professional, and not a technical expert, I was not responsible for validating the compliance of any third-party software. To my knowledge, the software in question remains in use by both Blue Origin and Amazon,” she added.

FAA Review

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced yesterday that it is “reviewing the information” presented in the essay. Abrams stated that the agency has not yet contacted her, but she would “welcome” their outreach.

“I feel as though I am finally fulfilling the core responsibilities of my role in employee communications,” she concluded.

The complete text of Bob Smith’s internal email to the team regarding Abrams’ letter is provided below.