Tesla says California plans to sue over alleged discrimination, harassment
The electric-car maker said it will ask the court to pause the case once the state's civil rights regulator files its lawsuit
Tesla Inc said on Wednesday the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) intends to file a lawsuit against the company alleging systematic racial discrimination and harassment.
The lawsuit appears to be focused on alleged misconduct at its factory in Fremont, California, between 2015 and 2019, Tesla said in a statement.
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The electric-car maker said it will ask the court to pause the case once the state's civil rights regulator files its lawsuit.
Despite several requests, Tesla said, the regulator declined to provide the company with the specific allegations or the factual bases for its lawsuit.
Tesla vehicles are being assembled by robots at Tesla Motors Inc factory in Fremont, California, REUTERS/Joseph White (REUTERS/Joseph White / Reuters Photos)
In the past, the department has investigated claims by employees who believe they were discriminated against or harassed, but did not find any misconduct, Tesla said.
The department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The company has been fighting a series of lawsuits over allegations of racial discrimination and sexual harassment.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSLA | TESLA INC. | 357.09 | +11.93 | +3.46% |
It was sued by two female employees last year, with both their lawsuits alleging a "hostile work environment" against women at the carmaker's factory in Fremont.
In October, a Black contract worker won a jury award worth $137 million over workplace racism against the company.
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Subsequently, a proposal was approved by Tesla shareholders asking the company to publish a report on its diversity and inclusion effort.
(Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar and Bhargav Acharya in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Arun Koyyur)