Open Letter Sparks Retaliatory Firing Claims
Eight former SpaceX employees have filed a lawsuit against the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, alleging wrongful termination. The lawsuit centers around accusations that these employees were fired in retaliation for speaking out against a hostile work environment and sexual harassment issues.
Concerns Raised Through Open Letter
In 2022, the plaintiffs co-authored and circulated an open letter through SpaceX’s internal communication system. This letter detailed their concerns about a pervasive culture of sexual harassment and a work environment described as “Animal House-style.”
Allegations of Retaliatory Terminations
The lawsuit claims that four of the plaintiffs were fired the very next day after the open letter was circulated. The remaining plaintiffs allege they were terminated later, following an internal investigation initiated by SpaceX.
National Labor Relations Board Involvement
The lawsuit isn’t the only legal challenge faced by SpaceX. In January 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a separate complaint against the company based on similar concerns raised by nine former employees, including some of the plaintiffs in this current lawsuit.
Employees Claim Musk’s Tweets Foster Hostile Environment
The lawsuit makes a direct connection between Musk’s tweets and the alleged harassment issues at SpaceX. One plaintiff, Yaman Abdulhak, claims to have identified similarities between Musk’s tweets and examples of inappropriate behavior included in SpaceX’s employee training materials. Abdulhak reportedly brought these concerns to the company’s HR department but received no response.
