Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin is described as a "toxic" workplace in an essay today by 21 current & former employees.
The essay details alleged sexual harassment, strict NDAs, stifled internal feedback, and a concerning approach to safety: cnbc.com/2021/09/30/jef…
You can read the essay here:
"If this company’s culture and work environment are a template for the future Jeff Bezos envisions, we are headed in a direction that reflects the worst of the world we live in now, and sorely needs to change." lioness.co/post/bezos-wan…
Former Blue Origin head of employee communications Alexandra Abrams put her name on the essay, and spoke to CBS @LaurieSegall about her experience:
"I'm not afraid enough to let them silence me anymore."
Scoop – Turnover at Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is soaring, which sources described as a direct reflection on CEO Bob Smith.
While Blue Origin says attrition has not exceeded 12.7% for the past 12 months, sources said turnover has passed 20% for 2021. cnbc.com/2021/10/01/jef…
A Blue Origin spokesperson, in a statement, said "We are seeing attrition rates comparable to those reported by other companies as part of what many are calling 'The Great Resignation.'" cnbc.com/2021/10/01/jef…
Headcount has grown by just over 450 people this year, from 3,503 to 3,957.
In addition to those CNBC previously reported, Blue Origin's senior director of recruiting left last month and its VP of finance is leaving next week. cnbc.com/2021/10/01/jef…
NASA said Blue Origin made a number of assumptions in its bid to build the agency's new astronaut lunar lander and that "all of these assumptions were incorrect," according to documents obtained by @joroulette: theverge.com/2021/9/29/2268…
@joroulette Blue Origin VP of government relations Megan Mitchell:
"I wouldn’t say that we didn’t offer our best offer when we put in our proposal ... I’m not going to comment on NASA characterizing it as gambling — we disagree with that." theverge.com/2021/9/29/2268…
@joroulette NASA: "All of this once-in-a-generation momentum, can easily be undone by one party—in this case, Blue Origin—who seeks to prioritize its own fortunes over that of NASA, the United States, and every person alive today" theverge.com/2021/9/29/2268…
"It's got a bit more gravitas than simply tourism. It's not like going to Disneyland, it's more profound than that. Sometimes people use tourism in sort of a negative way, but ... they shared their experiences with the world."
@inspiration4x@SpaceX@elonmusk Musk: "I recommend watching the Netflix show 'Countdown.' It's awesome. I didn't have anything to do with it, and the production value on the Netflix Countdown documentary is amazing."
@inspiration4x@SpaceX@elonmusk Musk adds that "there was an element of tourism" to Inspiration4 but the "technology is expensive at first. You can't just try and develop brand new technology, it doesn't become instantly cheap and affordable."
SpaceX and #Inspiration4 are hosting a post-splashdown briefing by phone, with:
– Inspiration4 mission director Todd “Leif” Ericson
– SpaceX human spaceflight programs senior director Benji Reed
Thread:
Late addition: @F16Kidd4 is joining the call from SpaceX's recovery ship, with an update on the crew.
"They're taking selfies, they're having a good time, they're eating, they're drinking, standing up and walking around. Just an amazing ride for everyone."
@F16Kidd4 Poteet: "The group is in great spirits, they're having a blast and everyone's looking forward to reuniting with their families in about 30 minutes." #Inspiration4
SpaceX is livestreaming the return and splashdown of #Inspiration4, with Crew Dragon capsule Resilience carrying commander Jared Isaacman, pilot Sian Proctor, medical officer Hayley Arceneaux and mission specialist Chris Sembroski.