SpaceX accused of fostering repeated sexual abuse on its employees

In a recent complaint against the firm, a SpaceX employee claims that during her seven years of employment at the Hawthorne, California headquarters, she experienced sexual abuse, unequal compensation, discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. However, her account presents a far more serious picture than those few words can, including systematic harassment and concerted efforts by a guy she claims was her direct supervisor to facilitate and then cover up sexual coercion.  

Michelle Dopak, the worker, further asserts that she was ignored when she begged SpaceX's president and vice president to act. Her complaint's specifics are particularly depressing; although they resemble the narratives from 2021 of five former SpaceX employees and eight women who sued Tesla, another business owned by Elon Musk, the tale seems darker. 

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that SpaceX attempted to "coerce and force" the plaintiff into arbitration, despite the fact that since 2022, federal law has forbade businesses from compelling employees to arbitrate sexual harassment allegations. In 2022, Tesla was prevented from carrying out the same action. 

SpaceX didn’timmediately respond to requests for comment. 

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) sued SpaceX in January for firing staff members soon after they penned an open letter criticizing CEO Elon Musk. The company is currently the target of a proposed class action lawsuit regarding alleged pay and promotion disparities against women and minors. Afterwards, SpaceX filed a retaliatory action against the NLRB, arguing that it was unlawful. In February, seven of the former workers filed civil rights lawsuits against SpaceX.