Eight former SpaceX engineers have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The complaint, reported by Bloomberg, sheds light on serious concerns about SpaceX’s corporate culture, alleging that Musk fostered a sexist environment within the company.
The lawsuit follows a report by the Wall Street Journal alleging that Musk had sexual relationships with two SpaceX employees, one of whom was a former intern later hired onto the executive team. A third woman claimed that Musk repeatedly asked her to have children with him and criticized her job performance when she refused. Gwynne Shotwell, President and CEO of SpaceX, was also accused of making disparaging comments about one of the women and requesting her removal after she reported the incident to human resources.
According to the complaint, senior engineers used foul language during technical meetings and assigned vulgar and degrading names to products while engaging in inappropriate behavior reflective of Musk’s explicit posts on social media. The former employees also filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against SpaceX, claiming that after collaborating on an open letter expressing concerns about Musk’s behavior and company culture, they were fired at Musk’s direction.
The allegations against Musk and SpaceX have sparked controversy and raised questions about the company’s corporate culture. It is essential for organizations to address such issues seriously and ensure a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.
