Blue Origin Faces Safety & Harassment Allegations

Jeff Bezos and New Labor Concerns

Ongoing labor-related issues continue to surface for Jeff Bezos. The billionaire, previously subjected to scrutiny regarding working conditions at Amazon, his former company, is now confronting accusations of a challenging work environment at Blue Origin, his space exploration venture.

Allegations of a Hostile Workplace

A collaboratively written essay by 21 present and past Blue Origin employees details a work culture characterized by sexual harassment. The authors claim that dissenting professional opinions are suppressed, environmental considerations are neglected, and the prioritization of rapid progress overshadows employee safety.

Alexandra Abrams Speaks Out

Alexandra Abrams, identified as the sole named author of the essay, held the position of head of employee communications during her two-and-a-half-year tenure at Blue Origin, as indicated by her LinkedIn profile. In a Thursday interview with CBS Morning, she expressed a desire for Bezos and Blue Origin to live up to their perceived ideals.

Blue Origin's Response

A Blue Origin spokesperson released a statement to TechCrunch, asserting that Abrams’ employment was terminated two years prior due to repeated violations of federal export control regulations.

Commitment to a Safe Environment

The spokesperson further stated that Blue Origin maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment. They highlighted the availability of multiple reporting channels for employees, including a 24/7 anonymous hotline, and a commitment to promptly investigate any reported misconduct.

Federal Regulations and Departure Details

Federal export control regulations govern the international transfer of specific goods and technologies. Blue Origin did not provide additional specifics concerning the circumstances surrounding Abrams’ departure at the time of this report.

Timing and Ongoing Legal Battles

The publication of this essay arrives at a particularly inopportune moment for Blue Origin, which is currently engaged in a legal dispute with NASA. This lawsuit stems from NASA’s decision to award a lunar lander contract exclusively to SpaceX. Blue Origin, having submitted its own proposal, has actively contested the contract through social media and appeals to the Government Accountability Office, though its complaint was ultimately dismissed.

Safety Concerns in the Space Race

The essay alleges that safety protocols were compromised in the pursuit of participation in the “billionaire space race,” exemplified by recent orbital flights undertaken by Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic and Jeff Bezos himself. It further contends that company leadership aimed for over 40 annual launches of Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, a pace deemed unsustainable given existing staffing and resource levels.

Engineer's Perspective

According to one engineer who contributed to the essay, “Blue Origin has been lucky that nothing has happened so far.” Numerous authors expressed reluctance to travel on a Blue Origin vehicle.

Allegations of Sexism

The letter details accusations of a sexist culture among several senior executives, including an individual within CEO Bob Smith’s close circle who was reportedly the subject of multiple sexual harassment complaints filed with Human Resources.

Inappropriate Behavior

The essay describes instances where female employees cautioned new hires about another senior executive’s inappropriate conduct. This included inquiries into employees’ personal dating lives and the use of demeaning terms like “sweetheart” or “baby girl.”

Alleged Protection of Executive

The authors claim that this executive appeared to be shielded by his close relationship with Bezos, and was only dismissed after physically groping a female subordinate.

Potential Financial Impact

This essay is likely to have repercussions for Blue Origin’s financial performance. Following the successful New Shepard launch in August, which carried Bezos and three others on an 11-minute spaceflight, the company plans to begin offering flights to paying customers.

Non-Disparagement Agreements

The authors’ decision to largely remain anonymous may be attributed to restrictive employment contracts signed in 2019, which included non-disparagement clauses, as outlined in the essay.

FAA Review

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged the essay and informed TechCrunch that it is reviewing the information, emphasizing its commitment to taking all safety allegations seriously.

Ongoing Investigation

TechCrunch has contacted Blue Origin for comment on the additional allegations presented in the letter and will provide updates as more information becomes available.