In a federal lawsuit filed on Thursday, it is alleged that white employees at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California, have been using racist slurs against their black colleagues for at least eight years. The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), claims that this racial harassment has created a hostile work environment dating back to May 2015.
The lawsuit further states that black employees regularly hear racist epithets such as “monkey,” “boy,” and the N-word from their white coworkers. The offensive behavior is said to involve not only line leads and production associates but also managers and supervisors at Tesla.
The lawsuit also highlights instances of racist graffiti, including swastikas, threats, and nooses, that black employees have encountered throughout the factory, including on desks, in elevators, and on vehicles.
The EEOC lawyers are seeking back pay and punitive damages for black Tesla employees, although an exact amount is not specified in the lawsuit.
EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows stated that the lawsuit demonstrates that no company is exempt from the law, and the EEOC will vigorously enforce civil rights protections to ensure workplaces are free from harassment and retaliation.
Denial of Allegations by Tesla
Tesla has not responded to the allegations made in the lawsuit. However, the company has previously denied accusations of racist comments made by white employees. In a blog post titled “Hotbed of Misinformation” on Tesla’s website in 2017, the company emphasized its stance against any form of discrimination or harassment.
This lawsuit comes two years after Tesla was ordered by a California judge to pay $1 million to a former black employee who was subjected to racist language at the factory. Another former Tesla employee was awarded $3.2 million by a federal jury for racial abuse he experienced during his time at the company. Tesla is also facing a class-action lawsuit from employees of color who have reported hearing racial slurs.
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