Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been accused of inappropriate relationships with employees and fostering a hostile work environment, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The report alleges instances of sexual misconduct, including Musk asking a woman to have his children, and describes the discomfort experienced by female staff at both companies.
According to the WSJ report, Musk created a culture at Tesla and SpaceX that made women employees uncomfortable. The report, based on interviews with over 48 individuals, including friends, family members of the women, and former employees, highlights instances where Musk’s behavior crossed professional boundaries. Text messages, emails, and other documents were cited to support these claims.
One incident involved a SpaceX intern who, after a professional relationship with Musk, found herself in a personal one. The relationship ended, but Musk allegedly tried to restart it, which she refused. Another woman, a SpaceX flight attendant, claimed Musk exposed himself to her and offered a horse in exchange for sex acts. Additionally, a former SpaceX employee alleged Musk repeatedly asked her to have his children, denied her a raise, and criticized her performance when she refused.
The report also mentions a woman who had a sexual relationship with Musk in 2014 while working directly under him. The relationship ended badly, leading to disagreements over text and email as she left the company and signed an agreement not to discuss her work for Musk.
Musk has not responded to the WSJ’s requests for comment. SpaceX and Musk’s legal team have dismissed the allegations, calling the report full of “untruths” and “mischaracterizations.” Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and COO, defended Musk, stating, “The untruths, mischaracterizations, and revisionist history in your email paint a completely misleading narrative. I continue to be amazed by what this extraordinary group of people are achieving every day even amidst all the forces acting against us. And Elon is one of the best humans I know.”
It remains to be seen how these allegations will impact Musk’s reputation and the ongoing operations of Tesla and SpaceX.
Source : Elon Musk faces sexual misconduct lawsuit (msn.com)