In a recent development, SpaceX and CEO Elon Musk are facing a lawsuit from former employees who allege they were wrongfully terminated for speaking out against gender discrimination and sexual harassment within the company.
The lawsuit, filed by eight former employees who were fired in 2022, accuses Musk of fostering a toxic work environment where women were objectified and subjected to lewd behavior. According to the complaint, Musk’s leadership style reflects outdated practices, with employees being told to accept the inappropriate behavior or leave the company.
These eight employees had previously signed an open letter in 2022 criticizing Musk and calling for a more inclusive culture at SpaceX. However, they were subsequently fired, with the complaint alleging that Musk himself ordered their terminations.
SpaceX has not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit, and it is reported that they typically do not engage with news organizations. In response to the earlier letter, SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell had promised to uphold a zero tolerance policy towards harassment but suggested that the fired employees made others uncomfortable.
This is not the first time SpaceX has faced complaints about employee terminations related to the open letter. The former employees are seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and other benefits.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of a workplace culture at SpaceX, with Musk’s behavior and actions being cited as facilitating a sexist and hostile environment. The former employees allege that SpaceX has failed to address the harassment and retaliation they faced.