SpaceX Faces Lawsuit: Employee Fired Over ‘Excessive’ Bathroom Breaks Due to Crohn’s Disease

A former SpaceX employee is suing the company, alleging he was wrongfully terminated due to his Crohn's disease and the resulting need for frequent bathroom breaks. This lawsuit sheds light on potentially discriminatory workplace practices and raises questions about employee treatment at Elon Musk’s space company.

Douglas Altshuler, 58, claims his supervisors at SpaceX monitored his restroom usage and threatened termination if he used the bathroom "too often," according to a federal discrimination lawsuit obtained by The Independent. Altshuler's Crohn's disease necessitates frequent and sometimes urgent bathroom visits, sometimes as often as every 35 minutes.

Despite providing a doctor's note explaining his condition, Altshuler says his concerns were dismissed as "unsubstantiated," and he was ultimately fired for "alleged deficient performance." The lawsuit also alleges other issues, including denied meal breaks, exposure to toxic chemicals, and pay discrepancies. This isn't the first time SpaceX's workplace practices have come under scrutiny. Previous reports have highlighted high injury rates and allegations of unfair treatment of employees who raised concerns about safety and company practices.

Adding to the controversy, Altshuler claims he witnessed industrial parts being dried in the same ovens used by employees for their food. He also alleges he was retaliated against after reporting safety concerns to OSHA. According to Altshuler's attorney, Clive Pontusson, regulators eventually substantiated many of Altshuler’s concerns about an unsafe work environment at SpaceX. "The company’s actions are egregious and in clear violation of the law," Pontusson stated.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has been known for his demanding work ethic and has publicly praised employees working exceptionally long hours. This latest lawsuit raises concerns about whether this culture of relentless work could be contributing to a potentially hostile environment for employees with medical conditions who need workplace accommodations. The lawsuit seeks compensation and damages for the alleged discrimination and wrongful termination. It remains to be seen how SpaceX will respond to these serious allegations.

What impact will this lawsuit have on SpaceX's reputation and workplace culture? Will it lead to greater scrutiny of labor practices within tech companies owned by Elon Musk? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

• Elon Musk
• Lawsuit
• SpaceX