Fired SpaceX workers sue Elon Musk over workplace abuses

SpaceX workers sue Elon Musk for fostering sexist culture, facing charges of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.

Workers fired by SpaceX filed a lawsuit Wednesday, June 12, 2024, accusing Elon Musk of fostering a sexist "Dark Ages" culture at the company he founded.

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The civil complaint filed in a California court in Los Angeles contends Mr.Musk had the workers terminated after they published an open letter detailing their concerns and calling on the American aerospace firm's board to distance itself from the SpaceX chief executive.

"Elon Musk trumpets SpaceX as the leader to a brave new world of space travel," the court filing says.

"But (he) runs his company in the Dark Ages -- treating women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size, bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter, and offering the reprise to those who challenge the 'Animal House' environment that if they don't like it they can seek employment elsewhere."

The suit charges Mr. Musk and SpaceX with sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.

"Musk thinks he's above the law," plaintiffs' attorney Laurie Burgess said in a statement. "We look forward to holding Musk accountable for his actions at trial."