Tesla looks the other way on harassment complaints and safety issues

Bryce Covert, contributing writer for The Nation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her recent article, “Tesla’s Toxic Culture Has Spread to Its New Plant in Austin.”

Covert’s article looks at allegations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination and unsafe work conditions at the Tesla factory in Austin, Texas, which began limited production in 2021. She shared the story of one woman, who claimed to be a victim of sexual harassment, and how supervisors and those in management ignored her claims. Multiple Tesla workers told Covert the company’s policy is any worker with a write-up on their file cannot be promoted or receive a raise or bonus. In this and other instances, Covert said the policy is used by alleged abusers to keep their victims in their departments.

Besides sexual harassment, Covert revealed instances of racial discrimination. She discovered 40 legal complaints have been filed that allege racial discrimination in Tesla’s Fremont and Sparks plants, which stem as far back as November 2014. The problems are also surfacing at the Austin factory, where she interviewed multiple employees who confirmed they witnessed racial discrimination, but management failed to investigate the complaints. 

Safety also remains a problem. The Nation previously reported 80 OSHA violations in Tesla’s manufacturing operations between January 2019 and February 2024, she said. Over that time frame, the company was hit with $525,020 in fines. At the Austin plant, Covert spoke with multiple employees who described dangerous conditions inside the building.  She discussed the death of an electrician, who was fatally electrocuted in August by an electrified panel. Much like the harassment issues, safety concerns are ignored.

To hear more about the problems at Tesla, listen to the episode above.