In a recent development, federal labor regulators have alleged that SpaceX, the renowned rocket and satellite maker, illegally terminated employees who publicly criticized Elon Musk, the company's founder and CEO. According to a complaint filed by a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SpaceX wrongfully fired eight employees and interrogated dozens more in 2022 after they wrote and shared an open letter condemning Musk's “disparaging” and "sexually charged" comments on social media. The letter also criticized SpaceX management for their failure to address a culture of "sexism, harassment, and discrimination" within the company.

The NLRB complaint further states that SpaceX informed other employees that the eight individuals were discharged for their involvement in the open letter. The company also allegedly interrogated other employees about the letter, instructed them not to discuss the investigatory interviews, created an atmosphere of surveillance by reading and showing screenshots of employee communications, disparaged participation in the open letter, and restricted employees from distributing it.

Unless SpaceX reaches a settlement, a hearing on the complaint will take place before an administrative law judge on March 5. The NLRB has the authority to order companies to rehire wrongfully terminated workers. However, SpaceX has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.

This is not the first time Musk's leadership style has come under scrutiny. In 2022, employees of X, formerly known as Twitter, alleged that they lost their jobs after disagreeing with Musk's public and private comments about the company. These recent allegations against SpaceX add to a growing list of complaints and lawsuits accusing Musk's companies of violating labor and employment laws.

The NLRB's complaint against SpaceX highlights the need for better working conditions and the protection of employees' rights to advocate for such improvements. If found guilty of violating labor laws, SpaceX could face penalties and be ordered to reinstate the terminated employees with back pay. The case will shed light on the company's treatment of its workforce and its commitment to addressing issues of harassment and discrimination within its ranks.