Serious allegations are surfacing about SpaceX. Workers claim dangerous conditions exist. They also report pervasive harassment. This is happening during rocket recovery operations. These operations occur off the West Coast. Current news highlights these troubling issues. Investigations are ongoing.
Safety Concerns Mount
Injuries at recovery sites are extremely high. They are nine times the industry rate. Former employees allege the company knowingly endangered them. Safety management flagged issues at labs. Inadequate ventilation was noted. Toxic chemicals seeped into work areas. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has data. This data shows injury rates exceed industry averages. The West Coast recovery unit had 7.6 injuries per 100 workers. This is over nine times the industry norm. The industry average is about 0.8 injuries per 100 workers. Furthermore, over 600 injuries were reportedly not disclosed since 2014.
Harassment and Discrimination Allegations
Former employees describe a disturbing culture. They allege widespread sexual harassment. Gender discrimination is also a key concern. Human Resources allegedly failed to address many incidents. Investigations by The Wall Street Journal revealed troubling details. Reports mention “boundary-blurring relationships.” A “culture of sexism and harassment” was also cited. Some former employees reported sexual harassment to HR. However, these complaints reportedly went unaddressed.
Legal Actions and Investigations
A significant lawsuit was filed. Eight former employees brought the suit in 2024. It names SpaceX and Elon Musk. The plaintiffs include four men and four women. They allege sexual harassment and retaliation. They claim wrongful termination after raising safety concerns. The lawsuit states they were fired. This happened after they circulated a letter. The letter criticized Musk’s behavior. It also urged the board to disavow him. A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaint exists. The California Civil Rights Department is also investigating.
Specific Accusations Surface
One former flight attendant alleged Musk exposed himself. He reportedly offered her a horse for sex acts. Another former employee claims Musk asked her to “have his babies.” This allegedly happened during her exit interview. Reports also detail a sexual relationship. It reportedly occurred between Musk and a former intern. Another employee had a month-long sexual relationship with Musk in 2014. This ended badly. It led to harsh exchanges via text and email.
Company Response and Local Concerns
SpaceX leadership has responded to these claims. COO Gwynne Shotwell denied the allegations. She called a Wall Street Journal report “revisionist history.” She stated SpaceX investigates all complaints thoroughly. SpaceX’s legal team also dismissed reports. They called them “untruths” and “mischaracterizations”. However, Shotwell did send an email. It urged timely reporting of harassment. She announced a third-party audit of HR practices. Locals in the Port of Long Beach have expressed concerns. They have shown a desire to sever ties with the company. Furthermore, expansion plans at the Port of Long Beach raise environmental worries.
Ongoing Trend in News
These current news events show a pattern. Investigations into workplace culture are trending. Allegations include safety failures and harassment. The Port of Long Beach is a key site for recovery operations on the West Coast. It is central to much of this ongoing news. The sheer number of allegations and ongoing investigations suggest serious issues at the company. The company’s rapid growth and ambitious goals appear to coincide with significant workplace challenges. These trending stories highlight a critical period for SpaceX. The company faces intense scrutiny regarding its treatment of employees and its operational safety.
