Topline
An open letter was reportedly posted in an employee chat channel at SpaceX on Wednesday that flames CEO Elon Musk for recent behavior that it describes as a “distraction” and an “embarrassment,” and calls for the company to “hold all leadership equally accountable.”
Billionaire entrepreneur and founder of SpaceX Elon Musk speaks at the 68th International … [+] Astronautical Congress 2017 in Adelaide on September 29, 2017. – Musk said his company SpaceX has begun serious work on the BFR Rocket as he plans an Interplanetary Transport System. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)
Key Facts
The Verge, which says it reviewed the letter, says it claims Musk’s behavior on Twitter is “harmful” to SpaceX and that every tweet he sends is a “de facto public statement by the company.”
The letter, addressed to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, was shared on a SpaceX Microsoft Teams channel with over 2,600 employees, Verge reports.
The Verge said it was unable to tell who wrote the letter or how many employees signed it.
SpaceX has not responded to a request from Forbes to confirm the existence of the letter or comment on it.
The letter comes nearly a month after Insider revealed that SpaceX paid a flight attendant $250,000 in 2018 to settle allegations that Musk had exposed himself on board a company private jet, which Musk dismissed as nothing more than a “politically motivated hit piece.”
SpaceX employees are asking company officials to “swiftly and explicitly” separate the company from Musk’s “personal brand,” clearly define what its “no a**hole” policy is intended to accomplish, and hold all leadership accountable for bad behavior.
Last month, Musk demanded white-collar employees at his electric vehicle company Tesla to return to the office or “pretend to work somewhere else,” in a memo to staff, released by The Guardian.
Crucial Quote
In response to the Insider report, Musk dismissed the allegations by saying “If I were inclined to engage in sexual harassment, this is unlikely to be the first time in my entire 30-year career that it comes to light.”
Key Background
Musk, the world’s richest man, is not only one of Twitter’s most active users, but the social media giant’s potential new owner. In April, Twitter’s board agreed to his $44 billion bid to purchase the company. Musk has since threatened to renege, stating concern the social media company was retaining too many “fake” accounts.
Further Reading
SpaceX employees draft open letter to company executives denouncing Elon Musk’s behavior (The Verge)
Too Many CEOs Have Forgotten That Their Employees Are Their Most Valuable Asset. Elon Musk Is One Of Them (Forbes)
SpaceX Reportedly Paid $250,000 To Settle Sexual Harassment Accusation Against Elon Musk (Forbes)