Aaron Craven, a Tesla employee, brought a racial discrimination suit against the transportation company. He claimed co-workers were using racial slurs against Black employees at Tesla’s Fremont factory.
According to Insider, he got called the N-word repeatedly, witnessed hate symbols like KKK signs and swastikas around the workplace. In 2017, more than 103 racial complaints were filed against the electric car company in response to the hostility.
“I was directly called n—– and n—- approximately 100 times at the Fremont factory,” Craven said to a reporter from Protocol. “I heard the terms n—– and n—- used over 100 times by co-workers and by my lead Auggie in the Tesla factory.”
Three Other Cases Against Tesla
2017
- Alongside Craven, ex-contractor Aaron Minor came forward as well. While working for Tesla, he recalled hearing employees refer to the factory as a plantation and Black employees as “cotton workers,” also reported by Protocol.
- DeWitt Lambert, a former employee, claimed co-workers referred to him by the N-word, targeting him with lewd comments.
2019
- Discrimination complaints were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Division of Human Rights in New York. Six former Black and Latin workers at a Tesla Factory were on the receiving end of racial slurs.
In response to the allegations and lawsuits, Tesla issued a comment declaring they had work to do, including improving diversity.
What To Do If Faced with Racism in The Workplace
Unfortunately, many employees face racial discrimination at work, whether it’s direct or subtle. Any Los Angeles racial discrimination lawyer would urge you to voice your concerns through an employer or human resources to avoid the risk of a hostile environment.
Documentation is vital, especially when a co-worker or upper management is making racially targeted comments. Before you come forward, try to make your report as detailed as possible, including supporting evidence. Reference the employee handbook should you have questions about how to report the incident. Knowing the company protocol can also help secure your job.
We also recommend that you turn to a Los Angeles labor attorney for employees for guidance before filing a complaint with the EEOC or HR. While we hope this never happens to you, employer workplace retaliation and wrongful termination are just as prevalent as racial discrimination.
