A former SpaceX worker sued Elon Musk’s company, claiming he was fired due to symptoms of a chronic illness.
A former employee of SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the aerospace company.
He claims he was wrongfully terminated due to symptoms related to his chronic illness.
His chronic condition forces frequent bathroom visits
Altshuler explained that his medical condition causes him to need urgent restroom access multiple times during an eight-hour workday.
The lawsuit states Altshuler used the bathroom 14 times per shift, expected to return within ten minutes each time.
If he exceeded this limit, supervisors reportedly threatened to fire him.
Doctor’s note ignored by management
Altshuler provided SpaceX with a medical certificate confirming his diagnosis and need for frequent breaks.
However, he claims the company dismissed the documentation as invalid.
This rejection of his doctor’s note forms a key part of the lawsuit, which accuses SpaceX of failing to accommodate his disability.
Legal representation calls for employer accountability
Clive Pontusson, Altshuler’s attorney, emphasized the company’s legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
He pointed out that employees should be able to request necessary adjustments without fear of retaliation or losing their jobs.
Pontusson emphasized that workers should raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation or negative consequences at work.
Altshuler started at SpaceX in June 2023 and filed an HR complaint about bathroom breaks in December.
However, the complaint was dismissed as “unsubstantiated” by HR the following month, leading to further frustration for Altshuler.
Ex-Space X worker files lawsuit against the company after wrongful termination over his chronic illness symptoms
Shortly after his concerns were rejected, Altshuler contacted the HR chief to express his dissatisfaction with the handling of his case.
Only three days after this communication, SpaceX terminated his employment, citing “deficient performance” as the reason.
The lawsuit claims Altshuler’s firing linked to his disability complaints and accommodation requests.
Altshuler is now pursuing legal damages for the distress caused by his treatment and dismissal.
The suit claims that the situation has inflicted significant mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of quality of life.
The lawsuit further argues that discrimination, retaliation, and safety concerns all influenced SpaceX’s decision to terminate his contract.
Social media reactions
One user said: Elon is the rich villain that was in the comics.
The second user added: Elon didn’t directly work with the employee lol…
The third user said: I have a simply rule in life… Never work for a man who doesn’t live in the same town as you.
The fourth user wrote: Medical condition like that get a remote job not every job is suitable for everyone
Another user said: Just wait suing over wrongful termination is gonna get a lot harder.
Someone commented: Maybe he should have been given leave to cure himself fully and take somebody to replace him for that period. That could solve the problem.