Elon Musk’s SpaceX is dealing with a lawsuit from a former worker who claims he was discriminated in opposition to, denied lodging for his power bowel illness, and finally fired for needing frequent toilet breaks throughout his shifts.
Worker claims discrimination over toilet use
Douglas Altshuler, 58, filed the swimsuit alleging wrongful termination and violations of the People with Disabilities Act (ADA), in line with The Impartial. Altshuler says he suffers from Crohn’s illness, a power inflammatory bowel situation that required him to make use of the restroom each 35 to 45 minutes throughout his eight-hour shifts.
Regardless of offering a health care provider’s observe explaining his situation, Altshuler claims SpaceX supervisors started monitoring and timing his restroom breaks, reprimanding him if he exceeded a 10-minute restrict. “I generally had to make use of the restroom as much as 14 occasions a day,” Altshuler acknowledged within the criticism, as reported by The Impartial.
Termination for “poor efficiency”
Altshuler alleges that when he formally requested office lodging for his situation, administration dismissed the request as “unsubstantiated.” He additional claims that he was threatened with termination if he used the restroom too usually. Based on the criticism, SpaceX ultimately fired him, citing “poor efficiency.”
The lawsuit accuses SpaceX of retaliation for his medical wants and of failing to uphold federal protections for employees with disabilities.
Allegations of security and labor violations
Past the restroom-related points, the criticism additionally accuses SpaceX of broader labor violations. Altshuler alleges he was denied correct meal breaks and was underpaid throughout his tenure. The lawsuit additionally highlights hazardous office circumstances, together with an occasion through which he says he witnessed industrial components being dried in a kitchen the place staff ready meals.
Altshuler seeks damages
Altshuler, who started working at SpaceX in 2023 and was terminated the identical 12 months, is looking for again pay and damages. As of now, SpaceX has not issued a public remark concerning the lawsuit.
