SpaceX allegedly fostered serial sexual abuse, according to this lawsuit

A SpaceX employee says that she spent seven years working at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California enduring sexual abuse, unequal pay, discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation, in a new lawsuit against the company. But her story paints a much graver picture than those individual words can convey, describing widespread harassment and coordinated action to not only enable but also later give cover for sexual coercion, by a man she says was her direct supervisor.

The employee, Michelle Dopak, also claims that SpaceX’s president and vice president of the company ignored her pleas for action. The details of her complaint are especially grim; while they echo the 2021 stories of five former SpaceX employees and eight women who sued Tesla, another Elon Musk-owned company, the tale seems darker.

Here’s the entire complaint, should you want to read it, but know that it’s a deeply disturbing read.

Content warning: This document contains descriptions of sexual abuse.

Dopak remains employed at SpaceX, where she claims managers are trying to make her quit by forcing her to work 12 hours a day, six days a week, violating her medical accommodation needs.

SpaceX didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.