Douglas Altshuler , a former SpaceX employee, has sued the aerospace company in federal court, alleging he was discriminated against because of his medical condition, Crohn's disease, and retaliated against for reporting safety issues. Altshuler, hired in 2023, claims that his frequent need for restroom visits was not adequately accommodated, resulting in punitive measures and threats of discharge. The suit also raises concerns about workplace safety, such as exposure to hazardous chemicals and unsafe equipment handling.
Who is Douglas Altshuler
Douglas Altshuler, a 58-year-old former Space worker, has filed the aerospace company with a federal court lawsuit. Working in 2023, Altshuler states he was deprived of adequate accommodations for his sickness, including bathroom break restrictions, and was penalized for disclosing safety violations. His case raises questions about how large tech firms address employee health accommodations and whistleblower protection, questioning whether corporate policies are sufficient in accommodating workers with medical conditions as well as protecting whistleblowers who reveal workplace hazards.
Altshuler, who suffers from Crohn's disease, used to work at SpaceX's Redmond, Washington headquarters, which manufactures components for the Starlink satellite network. Crohn's disease leads to frequent and urgent bowel movements, necessitating that Altshuler visit the restroom every 35 to 45 minutes, sometimes as many as 14 times in an eight-hour shift. Even after submitting medical documentation, he alleges SpaceX managers refused to accommodate his needs.
Altshuler faced warnings for frequent bathroom use
While two supervisors at first informed Altshuler that his use of the restroom would not be limited, the suit alleges that this agreement was not maintained. One supervisor supposedly started timing his bathroom breaks and punishing him if they lasted more than 10 minutes. He was supposedly informed that he could be fired for using the restroom "too frequently." This practice of monitoring, the lawsuit claims, is contrary to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless providing such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.
Altshuler was given written warnings, known as "occurrences," for his use of the bathroom, the complaint alleges. These warnings were given despite the earlier assurances and his regular filing of medical records.
Altshuler raised safety concerns, claims retaliation
Besides the disability-related complaints, Altshuler also complained about workplace safety at the Redmond plant. As per the legal document, he complained of possible exposure to harmful chemicals and accused industrial components of being dried in a kitchen oven—a clear disregard for safety procedures and food handling regulations. Following his reports, Altshuler says that he endured retaliatory acts, which consisted of unreasonable unfavorable performance critiques and ongoing oversight by previous superiors, after having been remodeled to be in a separate crew.
The grievance asserts that SpaceX actions equated to unlawful retaliation due to protected whistleblowing activity as contemplated by federal safety and labor law.
Altshuler fired shortly after filing complaints, lawsuit claims
Altshuler was eventually fired from his job in January 2025, only days after the company's human resources department dismissed his official internal complaints as "unsubstantiated." His firing, occurring shortly after expressing both disability and safety concerns, is a mainstay of the lawsuit. His attorneys, Clive Pontusson—a former U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) trial attorney—state that the dismissal was not merely unwarranted but also illegal under federal protection.
"Employees must be permitted to voice their concerns regarding work-site safety without threat of retribution," said Pontusson in a news release.
Altshuler seeks damages for disability discrimination and retaliation
Altshuler's lawsuit alleges compensatory and punitive damages for:
Also Read | “We want to create a brain for the world…” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman outlines bold future with nonprofit restructuring plans
Who is Douglas Altshuler
Douglas Altshuler, a 58-year-old former Space worker, has filed the aerospace company with a federal court lawsuit. Working in 2023, Altshuler states he was deprived of adequate accommodations for his sickness, including bathroom break restrictions, and was penalized for disclosing safety violations. His case raises questions about how large tech firms address employee health accommodations and whistleblower protection, questioning whether corporate policies are sufficient in accommodating workers with medical conditions as well as protecting whistleblowers who reveal workplace hazards.
Altshuler, who suffers from Crohn's disease, used to work at SpaceX's Redmond, Washington headquarters, which manufactures components for the Starlink satellite network. Crohn's disease leads to frequent and urgent bowel movements, necessitating that Altshuler visit the restroom every 35 to 45 minutes, sometimes as many as 14 times in an eight-hour shift. Even after submitting medical documentation, he alleges SpaceX managers refused to accommodate his needs.
Altshuler faced warnings for frequent bathroom use
While two supervisors at first informed Altshuler that his use of the restroom would not be limited, the suit alleges that this agreement was not maintained. One supervisor supposedly started timing his bathroom breaks and punishing him if they lasted more than 10 minutes. He was supposedly informed that he could be fired for using the restroom "too frequently." This practice of monitoring, the lawsuit claims, is contrary to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless providing such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.
Altshuler was given written warnings, known as "occurrences," for his use of the bathroom, the complaint alleges. These warnings were given despite the earlier assurances and his regular filing of medical records.
Altshuler raised safety concerns, claims retaliation
Besides the disability-related complaints, Altshuler also complained about workplace safety at the Redmond plant. As per the legal document, he complained of possible exposure to harmful chemicals and accused industrial components of being dried in a kitchen oven—a clear disregard for safety procedures and food handling regulations. Following his reports, Altshuler says that he endured retaliatory acts, which consisted of unreasonable unfavorable performance critiques and ongoing oversight by previous superiors, after having been remodeled to be in a separate crew.
The grievance asserts that SpaceX actions equated to unlawful retaliation due to protected whistleblowing activity as contemplated by federal safety and labor law.
Altshuler fired shortly after filing complaints, lawsuit claims
Altshuler was eventually fired from his job in January 2025, only days after the company's human resources department dismissed his official internal complaints as "unsubstantiated." His firing, occurring shortly after expressing both disability and safety concerns, is a mainstay of the lawsuit. His attorneys, Clive Pontusson—a former U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) trial attorney—state that the dismissal was not merely unwarranted but also illegal under federal protection.
"Employees must be permitted to voice their concerns regarding work-site safety without threat of retribution," said Pontusson in a news release.
Altshuler seeks damages for disability discrimination and retaliation
Altshuler's lawsuit alleges compensatory and punitive damages for:
- Disability discrimination: for not making a reasonable accommodation for his Crohn's disease.
- Retaliation: for retaliatory actions after complaining about health and safety concerns.
- Wrongful termination: on the purported basis of disability and protected activity under federal employment laws.
Also Read | “We want to create a brain for the world…” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman outlines bold future with nonprofit restructuring plans
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