Thu, 20 Mar 2025

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 'Harassed and humiliated' - family sues Boeing over whistleblower death

John Barnett's family say he was subjected to harassment and humiliation after he raised safety concerns.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Boeing by the family of John Barnett, a former quality manager who took his own life in 2023. The complaint alleges that the company subjected Barnett to harassment, abuse, and humiliation after he raised concerns about safety issues on the production line. According to the lawsuit, Boeing's conduct was "the clear, foreseeable cause" of Barnett's death. Barnett had been a dedicated employee at Boeing for 32 years, working at the company's factory in North Charleston, South Carolina, where he raised several concerns about safety procedures and defects in aircraft production. He took early retirement in 2017, citing depression and anxiety, but the lawsuit claims that the company continued to put pressure on him even after his retirement. The lawsuit attributes Barnett's death to Boeing's actions, including a retaliatory campaign by managers that created a "hostile work environment". The complaint includes exhibits such as an email from Barnett stating "Boeing has completely destroyed my outlook on life" and his handwritten final note saying "I can't do this any longer!! Enough!!".
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