Comments on: SpaceX facing lawsuits from former employees

By: Paul Scutts

Paul Scutts — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:44:44 +0000

Bob, point taken. You are right of course, I don’t have access to any more information than what is reported within the media. However, over the years I have had considerable experience in dealing with medium to large organisations, investigating/advising changes to corporate cultures, measurement of employer/employee relationships, attitudes and 360 degree management studies. I have also owned/run several small businesses and have employed/managed my own, albeit small, number of staff. I’ve been around and I know how it works. This is not the first instance of corporate upper/middle (mis)management and, unfortunately Bob, it won’t be the last.

By: Bob Jones

Bob Jones — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:17:52 +0000

Paul: You seem to believe that the claims made in the lawsuits are correct. What evidence do you have to support those claims, or are you taking those statements made by former, and possibly disgruntled, employees at face value?

By: Paul Scutts

Paul Scutts — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:35:01 +0000

They can’t Slavvy. You have made a very good point. The exercise is one that will only demoralise your workforce and only encourages/rewards Nedemyer behaviour. SpaceX and Musk have tried to make an example of the “under achievers” within their workforce, but, at the same time, have tried to avoid paying the proper award entitlements of doing so. I hope, for their sakes and those of their remaining staff, that they receive the reality check they deserve.

By: Jeff Foust

Jeff Foust — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:03:14 +0000

Let’s avoid bringing Hitler into this conversation, gentlemen. Thank you for your cooperation.

By: Paul Scutts

Paul Scutts — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:54:25 +0000

Gary, in Hitler’s world, as you have expressed it, there was no room for the chronically sick, the very elderly, people of a different race, religion, way of thinking and ,oh, the bottom 5% of (non) performers. Laying off 200+ of your work force is not a mistake, it’s a strategy and IMO a really ill advised one! He who takes the applause must also take the criticisms. Gary, the clock is ticking on the time Elon Musk has left to make this wrong right.

By: Gary Warburton

Gary Warburton — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:17:56 +0000

If only we weren`t all human. In Hitler`s world there was no room for mistakes.

By: Slavvy

Slavvy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:10:00 +0000

No rest periods? Why would anyone want to work like that? Is this for real in 2014 in a developed country?
How can these people stay concentrated and make no faults while working with full bladder and empty stomach?

By: Paul Scutts

Paul Scutts — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 06:36:03 +0000

You employ people your HR department is supposed/assumed to know all the rules. You employ people your accounts department is supposed to have all costs/overheads counted. SpaceX, you build rockets that work. If you get true re-usability working your workers are going to be busier the one-legged you know whats. Pay your staff right, stick within the rules. Besides the legal obligation, you have the moral obligation to do so. Otherwise, don’t make rockets or charge more for the ones you make. Elon, you dream of Mars, great, but make sure your (ex) staff are treated properly, it’s your reputation, your final call.

By: Gary Warburton

Gary Warburton — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:39:08 +0000

It not unusual for a new company like SpaceX to break the rules. Such laws are to protect the workers. I`m sure SpaceX will respect the laws in the future. I`m sure a company like SpaceX expects the highest standards from its workers something most employees are not prepared for. That is not to say anyone is at fault neither employees or employers.

By: MikeR

MikeR — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:28:57 +0000

Given that SpaceX apparently plans to expand their workforce by 20% in the next year, I don’t see how you can classify this as a layoff. They will end up with more people than they started with. Obviously they didn’t want these particular people.