A group of former SpaceX engineers has filed a lawsuit against the aerospace company and its CEO Elon Musk, alleging pervasive gender discrimination and unfair dismissal. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, claims that Musk orchestrated the firing of eight engineers in 2022 after they criticized his behavior on social media and raised concerns about sexual harassment.
According to the plaintiffs, SpaceX harbored a culture where female engineers faced routine harassment and were subjected to demeaning comments. They cited instances where senior engineers used inappropriate language to describe work-related matters, contributing to a hostile work environment.
The lawsuit further accuses Musk of fostering a “pervasively sexist culture” at SpaceX, pointing to his social media posts that the plaintiffs argue were offensive and created distress among employees. In response, SpaceX has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the engineers were terminated for violating company policies rather than in retaliation for their complaints.
Paige Holland-Thielen, one of the plaintiffs, emphasized that the lawsuit aims to hold SpaceX accountable and advocate for improved workplace conditions. The engineers are seeking damages and a court order to prevent SpaceX from continuing what they describe as unlawful practices.
This legal action comes amid broader scrutiny of SpaceX’s internal policies, with the engineers also involved in a separate case before the National Labor Relations Board. The outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for how SpaceX addresses workplace culture moving forward.
As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores ongoing challenges in the tech industry regarding workplace diversity and the treatment of employees, particularly in high-profile companies like SpaceX led by charismatic figures such as Elon Musk.
