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Why is SpaceX facing allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination? Exploring reasons amid claims by former staff
Former employees at Elon Musk's SpaceX, have brought forth troubling allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination, shedding light on a toxic work environment within the organization.
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Allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination surface from former SpaceX employees
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Elon Musk's public statements on platforms like Twitter contribute to a hostile work environment
Former employees of Elon Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX, have raised troubling charges of sexual harassment and discrimination, shedding light on the organization's toxic work environment. The claims, filed with a California civil rights authority, depict widespread misogyny and antagonism against employees who dared to speak out against mistreatment as per Business Insider.
Hostile work environment: Tolerance of harassment and discrimination
The complaints filed by former employees reflect a disturbing pattern of behavior at SpaceX, in which sexual comments and harassment were not only allowed but normalized. Engineers described a sexist corporate culture that tolerated improper jokes and rude remarks. Furthermore, they claim that this behavior was not confined to lower-level employees and was encouraged by upper management, including CEO Elon Musk.
According to Paige Holland-Thielen, one of the complainants, Musk's public statements on social media sites such as Twitter contributed to the workplace's hostile environment. She went on to say, "The harassment was visual in nature in that CEO Elon Musk made public statements that were lewd and demeaning towards women, transgender individuals, and gay people on his personal Twitter account."
Unequal treatment: Gender pay gap and dismissal of complaints
Beyond encouraging a harassing culture, SpaceX has been accused of perpetuating gender inequity in salary and career prospects. Former employees assert that women were paid less than their male counterparts and faced barriers to career promotion. Furthermore, individuals who dared to complain about mistreatment faced dismissal and retaliation 
Holland-Thielen reported an incident in which she complained to a superior about a male coworker stealing credit for her efforts. In return, she received a performance review that chastised her for being "too emotional" and advised her to "be more humble." This case highlights a systemic issue where genuine issues were neglected or even used against the complainants.
Legal battles and resistance to accountability
In the face of growing claims, SpaceX has taken a defensive attitude, challenging the legal proceedings brought against it. The company recently attempted to derail a case brought by a US labor agency alleging unlawful termination of employees who reported mistreatment. SpaceX claimed that the regulatory body supervising the matter was unconstitutional and that the hearing procedure infringed on the company's rights.
Furthermore, SpaceX's legal maneuvers serve to defer accountability and hinder the pursuit of justice for the affected employees. By disputing the legal procedures' legitimacy, the company prolongs the pain of those who have faced employment discrimination and harassment.
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