An unknown number of SpaceX employees have been fired from the company for circulating a letter criticizing owner Elon Musk’s behavior, including his social media commentary and his alleged sexual harassment of female air crew, Florida Today reports.
While he’s being hailed as a “free speech” advocate because he objects to censorship on Twitter during his pending takeover, Musk doesn’t carry over his free-wheeling approach to other people’s opinions in his own domain. Musk’s management team sought out and fired the people who circulated the letter as they asked fellow employees to sign on to it.
“The letter, solicitations and general process made employees feel uncomfortable, intimidated and bullied, and/or angry because the letter pressured them to sign onto something that did not reflect their views,” SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said. “We have too much critical work to accomplish and no need for this kind of overreaching activism.”