• Eight former SpaceX engineers apply for a lawsuit against Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation on Wednesday.
  • Former employees sued Musk and the company in the hope that he will be held accountable for his actions.

OUR TAKE
SpaceX, a large private space company in the United States, is valued at about $180 billion, but its employees allege that they are treated so unequally. They are brave enough to stand up and defend themselves with the weapon of the law.
–Revel Cheng, BTW reporter

Musk, who is the president of a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company in the United States, was sued by fired SpaceX workers for harassment and retaliation on Wednesday.

Harassment and retaliation against employees

The suit charges Musk and SpaceX with sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Wednesday’s lawsuit is different from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaint because it seeks to hold Musk personally liable for SpaceX’s workplace environment and for the terminations. Musk didn’t reponse yet.

Musk intentionally created an unwelcome and hostile work environment and fostered a perversely sexist culture at SpaceX, based on his act of inserting despicable photos, memes, and comments that demean women and the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace, according to the earlier reported by Bloomberg.

This is not the first group to oppose Musk’s actions. Musk had sexual relationships with two SpaceX employees, including a former intern he later hired onto his executive team. Moreover, a third woman interviewed by Journal said Musk repeatedly asked her to have a baby and complained about her work performance after she refused. She was also denied a raise.

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Should be held accountable for his actions

“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.”

Employees see this as an insult to their dignity and that they could have found another job. As a result, the reputation and future development prospects of SpaceX may be affected. It’s how people seek fairness for themselves and society. The courageous actions of former employees are of great significance for those who continue to work with the company. It sets an example of courageous protest for others in society who have suffered similar incidents.