Rocket Firm SpaceX Sued Over Unpaid Wages

It is one of the world's most advanced companies, but former employees say the way it treats staff is stuck in the past.

An employee of SpaceX is suing the company for $5m (£3.2m) claiming he and other employees were denied overtime pay, refused lunch breaks, and forced to shave time off their timesheets.

Under California law, employees must be given 30-minute meal breaks if they work more than five hours, and a second if they work more than 10 hours. They must also receive 10-minute rest breaks for every four hours worked.

Technician Stan Saporito was employed by Elon Musk's company from 2013 through to February this year, and claims staff were pushed to "work off the clock".

His lawyer Nicholas De Blouw pointed out that the case could take years to resolve, adding that labour law violations were used by companies to "shave labour costs".

SpaceX said it denies the claims and will refute them in court.

Mr Saporito has requested a jury trial for the case, and SpaceX has 30 days to respond.

The company is a major aerospace manufacturer, and Mr Musk is known for his 100-hour workweeks.

Allegations against SpaceX of violating labour laws are now becoming fairly common.

Just over a year ago two cases were filed by former employees who claimed they were denied breaks.

In April this year an administration worker made similar claims, and said he had been denied severance pay when he and others were laid off.