Elon Musk's SpaceX is facing&nbsp;scrutiny from&nbsp;the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for wrongfully terminating eight employees, who circulated a letter criticising the CEO, calling him a "distraction and embarrassment".

<h2>The allegation against SpaceX</h2>

A regional official with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has charged SpaceX with violating the workers' rights to join forces and advocate for better working conditions, a fundamental right protected by federal labour law.&nbsp;

In a letter circulated by the employees in June 2022, they focused on Musk's posts on X, formerly Twitter, since 2020, some of which were deemed sexually suggestive.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mask-mandate-reinstated-in-new-york-city-hospitals-as-covid-19-cases-rise-676435">Mask mandate reinstated in New York City hospitals as COVID-19 cases rise</a>

The missive contended that Musk's statements clashed with the company's policies on the diversity and workplace ethics, and prompted SpaceX to condemn CEO Elon Musk's behaviour.

The NLRB complaint goes beyond the terminations, accusing SpaceX of subjecting employees to interrogations about the letter, disparaging those involved, and issuing threats of termination for similar activities.&nbsp;

As per Reuters, SpaceX is yet to comment on these allegations.

<h2>What if SpaceX is found guilty?</h2>

SpaceX now has the option of settling. However, if it chooses to not settle, the case will be heard by an administrative judge, with the hearing scheduled for March 5. If the NLRB finds that the job terminations violated labour law, it can order reinstatement of the fired employees and grant them back pay. Furthermore, if the rocket and satellite maker is found in violation, it could also face steeper penalties in future cases before the board.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-outcry-as-us-plans-to-use-cruel-nitrogen-asphyxiation-to-execute-death-row-inmate-676458">International outcry over US plans to use 'inhuman' nitrogen asphyxiation to execute death row inmate</a>

<h2>Toxic culture towards women</h2>

Deborah Lawrence, one of the terminated employees, said that SpaceX has what she describes as a "toxic culture," particularly towards women. She emphasised that they wrote the open letter "to leadership not out of malice, but because we cared about the mission and the people around us."

This development is not an isolated incident in Elon Musk's 'questionable' business practices. In November, Reuters reportedly unveiled over 600 previously unreported workplace injuries at SpaceX, ranging from crushed limbs to electrocutions. Musk's other ventures, including X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla, have also faced their share of labour disputes and allegations of discrimination, and illegal firings.

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk's SpaceX is facing scrutiny from the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for wrongfully terminating eight employees, who circulated a letter criticising the CEO, calling him a "distraction and embarrassment".

Elon Musk's SpaceX is facing scrutiny from the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for wrongfully terminating eight employees, who circulated a letter criticising the CEO, calling him a "distraction and embarrassment". The allegation against SpaceX A regional official with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has charged SpaceX with violating the workers' rights to join forces and advocate for better working conditions, a fundamental right protected by federal labour law. In a letter circulated by the employees in June 2022, they focused on Musk's posts on X, formerly Twitter, since 2020, some of which were deemed sexually suggestive. Also read | Mask mandate reinstated in New York City hospitals as COVID-19 cases rise The missive contended that Musk's statements clashed with the company's policies on the diversity and workplace ethics, and prompted SpaceX to condemn CEO Elon Musk's behaviour. The NLRB complaint goes beyond the terminations, accusing SpaceX of subjecting employees to interrogations about the letter, disparaging those involved, and issuing threats of termination for similar activities. As per Reuters, SpaceX is yet to comment on these allegations. What if SpaceX is found guilty? SpaceX now has the option of settling. However, if it chooses to not settle, the case will be heard by an administrative judge, with the hearing scheduled for March 5. If the NLRB finds that the job terminations violated labour law, it can order reinstatement of the fired employees and grant them back pay. Furthermore, if the rocket and satellite maker is found in violation, it could also face steeper penalties in future cases before the board. Also read | International outcry over US plans to use 'inhuman' nitrogen asphyxiation to execute death row inmate Toxic culture towards women Deborah Lawrence, one of the terminated employees, said that SpaceX has what she describes as a "toxic culture," particularly towards women. She emphasised that they wrote the open letter "to leadership not out of malice, but because we cared about the mission and the people around us." This development is not an isolated incident in Elon Musk's 'questionable' business practices. In November, Reuters reportedly unveiled over 600 previously unreported workplace injuries at SpaceX, ranging from crushed limbs to electrocutions. Musk's other ventures, including X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla, have also faced their share of labour disputes and allegations of discrimination, and illegal firings. (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX fired employees for criticising Musk as 'distraction and embarrassment': US labour agency

An Apple employee who was fired&nbsp; last month after leading fellow workers in publicly sharing instances of what they called harassment and discrimination has filed a charge with the US&nbsp;National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

In documents related to the charge that were viewed by Reuters, former Apple program manager Janneke Parrish alleged that Apple fired her to stymie her efforts to organise fellow workers.

"Apple Inc. terminated Parrish's employment based upon false and pretextual reasons and in fact terminated her employment in (an) attempt to nip-in-the-bud the successful organising campaign that Parrish and her coworkers established to address and redress employees'&nbsp;workplace concerns," Parrish wrote in a cover letter accompanying her charge with the labor board.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apples-most-back-ordered-new-product-is-not-what-you-expect-425165">Apple's most back-ordered new product is not what you expect</a>

In an interview last month, Parrish said the iPhone maker informed her that she had been terminated for deleting material on company equipment while she was under investigation over the leaking of a company town hall to media. She told Reuters she denies leaking.

Apple said in response to the interview comments at the time that it did not discuss specific employee matters. It has said that it is "deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace" and that it takes "all concerns" from employees seriously.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-officials-request-apple-pulls-down-quran-app-in-china-421257" hreflang="en">After officials’ request, Apple pulls down Quran app in China</a>

Apple has recently experienced other examples of employee unrest. In September, two Apple employees told Reuters they had also filed charges Apple has said that it is "deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace" and that it takes "all concerns" from employees seriously against the company with the NLRB.

The workers accused Apple of retaliation and halting discussion of pay among employees, among other allegations.

The NLRB investigates all charges it receives and prosecutes employers if it finds the cases have merit. 
&nbsp;

An Apple employee who was fired last month after leading fellow workers in publicly sharing instances of what they called harassment and discrimination has filed a charge with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

An Apple employee who was fired last month after leading fellow workers in publicly sharing instances of what they called harassment and discrimination has filed a charge with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In documents related to the charge that were viewed by Reuters, former Apple program manager Janneke Parrish alleged that Apple fired her to stymie her efforts to organise fellow workers. "Apple Inc. terminated Parrish's employment based upon false and pretextual reasons and in fact terminated her employment in (an) attempt to nip-in-the-bud the successful organising campaign that Parrish and her coworkers established to address and redress employees' workplace concerns," Parrish wrote in a cover letter accompanying her charge with the labor board. Also Read | Apple's most back-ordered new product is not what you expect In an interview last month, Parrish said the iPhone maker informed her that she had been terminated for deleting material on company equipment while she was under investigation over the leaking of a company town hall to media. She told Reuters she denies leaking. Apple said in response to the interview comments at the time that it did not discuss specific employee matters. It has said that it is "deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace" and that it takes "all concerns" from employees seriously. Also read | After officials’ request, Apple pulls down Quran app in China Apple has recently experienced other examples of employee unrest. In September, two Apple employees told Reuters they had also filed charges Apple has said that it is "deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace" and that it takes "all concerns" from employees seriously against the company with the NLRB. The workers accused Apple of retaliation and halting discussion of pay among employees, among other allegations. The NLRB investigates all charges it receives and prosecutes employers if it finds the cases have merit.

Fired Apple employee files complaint with US labour agency

The United States' National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) has found that Amazon illegally fired employees who advocated for better working conditions during the pandemic.

US Labour Agency: Amazon illegally fired 2 employees

us-labour-agency

Us Labour Agency, News on Us Labour Agency, stories on Us Labour Agency, articles on Us Labour Agency, Us Labour Agency stories at Wion, Us Labour Agency news, Us Labour Agency latest news

us labour-agency

SpaceX fired employees for criticising Musk as 'distraction and embarrassment': US labour agency

Fired Apple employee files complaint with US labour agency

US Labour Agency: Amazon illegally fired 2 employees