Jeff Bezos’ Rocket Company Accused of Toxic Culture and Safety Issues
Summary
Former and current employees at Blue Origin, the rocket company started by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest people in the world, say the company is rife with sexism, intolerant of employees who dare to contradict their bosses and lax on safety. The claims, including charges of sexual harassment by company executives, were put forward in an essay written by 21 employees and former employees and published Thursday on the website Lioness. The essay also suggested that there were safety concerns about New Shepard, the vehicle that flew Mr. Bezos and three other passengers to the edge of space in July. “In the opinion of an engineer who has signed on to this essay, ‘Blue Origin has been lucky that nothing has happened so far,’” the essay writers said. “Many of this essay’s authors say they would not fly on a Blue Origin vehicle.” The next New Shepard flight is scheduled for Oct. 12, and one of its four paying passengers said his plans had not changed.