Thread by @thesheetztweetz

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.
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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.'"
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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.
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The finance team has been especially hit hard by personnel loses, with a source saying Blue Origin budgeting is a nightmare. The Jacklyn ship was given as an example, which has had a number of setbacks and is 21% over budget.
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The central cause cited by those recently leaving, sources say, was Smith's strong push to end remote work and return to the office by September under project "Blue Back Together" – despite a petition signed by hundreds to go to hybrid work instead.
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As part of Smith's rush back to the office, sources say Blue Origin began a Covid vaccine disclosure program in May through "green dots" on company badges – but it was entirely on a good faith basis, with no proof of vaccination required.
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Bezos was initially supportive of bringing employees back by September, but sources say he later overruled Smith's push – aside from a limited number of workers, Blue Origin is still fully remote, with the return delayed to January.
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Blue Origin's orbital New Glenn was originally slated for its inaugural flight in 2020, but was delayed to Q4 2022 – a source familiar with the rocket's progress said that goal is extremely optimistic, saying the inaugural launch won't happen before 2024.
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Blue Origin's contract with ULA specified delivery of the first flight-ready BE-4 engines by April 2020, a source close to the deal said.

But in early 2019, when the Engines team presented an update to Smith, every component of BE-4 had a technical issue.
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Multiple sources highlighted the disjointedness in the team around Smith.

At one meeting, Smith told his team: "There’s nothing you guys can teach me that I don’t already know,” per two people with knowledge of the discussion.
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In another example, the relationship between Smith and his team had deteriorated to the point where Blue Origin hired a leadership consultant, who did hours of one-on-one interviews with the CEO's executives.
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The consultant told Smith the team unanimously thought he micromanages.

Smith, per two sources: “You think you’re telling me something I don’t know? I’m damn proud of it, and have no intention to change."

Blue Origin denied Smith made those comments.
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Bezos has yet to show he is unhappy with Smith, weekly spending just two afternoons with the company.

Two sources said there is little to no chance that Bezos decided to run the company full-time himself.
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