Boeing CEO admits to taking punitive actions against whistleblowers

WASHINGTON: During a United States (US) Senate hearing titled “Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture,” Boeing chief executive officer (CEO), Dave Calhoun, admitted that the company had retaliated against whistleblowers, who raised safety concerns.

During questioning by US Senator Richard Blumenthal, the CEO admitted that Boeing had taken disciplinary actions, including terminations, against whistleblowers. Calhoun admitted to these actions occurring at Boeing but did not disclose specific numbers during the Senate hearing.

Read more: Boeing whistleblower found dead of apparent suicide

The revelation has shocked the world, especially as Boeing faces renewed scrutiny over safety issues with its aircraft. Recent incidents, such as a door plug incident and crashes involving 737 MAX jets, have heightened concerns about the company’s safety standards.

Despite admitting to retaliation against whistleblowers, Calhoun defended Boeing’s overall culture, denying widespread safety problems or dysfunction in the workplace.

He said that Boeing “encouraged” its employees to raise concerns and takes them seriously. However, critics, including whistleblowers, argued that Boeing prioritises profits over safety and stifles internal criticism.

The Senate hearing featured intense exchanges between senators and Calhoun about Boeing’s safety record, transparency in executive compensation, and accountability for past plane crashes. Calhoun faced tough questions about Boeing’s handling of safety information and its corporate ethics.

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Previously, a Boeing whistleblower died in what many considered a suspicious manner. John Barnett, who had worked at Boeing for 32 years until 2017, was found dead in South Carolina from an apparent suicide by gunshot.

At the time, Barnett was involved in a whistleblower retaliation case against Boeing. As a quality manager, he had previously raised concerns about serious safety issues with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, alleging retaliation and a hostile work environment.

His attorneys, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, expressed disbelief, stating Barnett was looking forward to moving on from this chapter of his life.