{"id":17479,"date":"2021-09-30T23:57:59","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T15:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/blue-origins-record-on-safety-and-sexual-harassment-comes-under-fire-from-within\/"},"modified":"2021-09-30T23:57:59","modified_gmt":"2021-09-30T15:57:59","slug":"blue-origins-record-on-safety-and-sexual-harassment-comes-under-fire-from-within","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/blue-origins-record-on-safety-and-sexual-harassment-comes-under-fire-from-within\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Origin\u2019s record on safety and sexual harassment comes under fire from within"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An essay criticizing Blue Origin\u2019s attitude toward flight safety and sexual harassment also raises concern about the environmental impact of its headquarters building in Kent, Wash. (GeekWire Photo \/ Alan Boyle)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A former employee of Jeff Bezos\u2019 Blue Origin space venture has given up her anonymity to lead a campaign accusing the company of laxity when it comes to safety and sexual harassment.<\/p>\n

The allegations from Alexandra Abrams, who served as Blue Origin\u2019s head of employee communications until her dismissal in 2019, are detailed in an essay published on Lioness.co and in an interview with CBS News. Abrams said the Lioness essay was written in collaboration with 20 former and current Blue Origin employees who aren\u2019t identified.<\/p>\n

Abrams and her co-writers say that the types of gender gaps often seen in the aerospace industry \u201cmanifest in a particular brand of sexism,\u201d that dissent is suppressed, and that Bezos\u2019 competition with fellow billionaires Elon Musk and Richard Branson \u201cseemed to take precedence over safety concerns\u201d in planning for crewed spaceflights.<\/p>\n

Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith was portrayed as leading the push toward flying people on Blue Origin\u2019s New Shepard suborbital spacecraft. Bezos and three crewmates rode on the first crewed New Shepard flight in July, and the second crewed flight is due for launch from Blue Origin\u2019s West Texas spaceport in two weeks.<\/p>\n

In response to GeekWire\u2019s emailed inquiry, Blue Origin said it takes allegations of sexual harassment seriously and stands by its safety record.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Abrams was dismissed for cause two years ago after repeated warnings for issues involving federal export control regulations,\u201d a spokesperson said. \u201cBlue Origin has no tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind. We provide numerous avenues for employees, including a 24\/7 anonymous hotline, and will promptly investigate any new claims of misconduct. We stand by our safety record and believe that New Shepard is the safest space vehicle ever designed or built.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abrams told CBS that her supervisor gave her a different reason for her dismissal at the time: \u201cHe said, \u2018Bob and I can\u2019t trust you.’\u201d (See the update below for a more detailed response from Abrams about her dismissal.)<\/strong><\/p>\n