Eight former employees of SpaceX have filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging wrongful termination after speaking out against what they describe as a hostile work environment perpetuated by CEO Elon Musk.
Allegations of Hostile Work Environment:
The employees claim that Musk treated women as “sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size” and created an atmosphere reminiscent of the film “Animal House.” They assert that Musk personally ordered their terminations after they raised concerns about workplace culture.
Details from the Lawsuit:
The lawsuit details instances of Musk allegedly bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter and dismissing complaints by suggesting dissenting employees seek employment elsewhere if they were uncomfortable.
Holiday Party Video Controversy:
A video shown at a SpaceX holiday party is mentioned, where Musk and executives purportedly appeared in scenes mocking sexual misconduct. One scene allegedly featured the company’s VP of human resources demonstrating how to be spanked “correctly.”
Previous Allegations and Investigations:
The legal action follows previous allegations reported by the Wall Street Journal, accusing Elon Musk of inappropriate interactions with female employees at SpaceX, including engaging in a sexual relationship with a former intern and making inappropriate comments.
Response and Defense:
SpaceX’s president and COO, Gwynne Shotwell, has denied the allegations, describing them as “untruths, mischaracterizations, and revisionist history.” She defended Musk, praising the company’s achievements and calling him “one of the best humans” she knows despite the controversy.
The lawsuit against SpaceX underscores ongoing challenges faced by tech companies regarding workplace culture and allegations of misconduct at senior levels of leadership.