Tesla Managers Visit Sick Workers at Home Amid High Absences

Tesla’s German Gigafactory is under fire following reports that managers have been visiting employees at their homes while they are on sick leave. According to German newspaper Handelsblatt, the factory’s sickness rates soared to 17% in August, over three times higher than the industry average, raising concerns about how management is handling absenteeism.

These home visits, disclosed during an internal meeting recording, have caused backlash from workers. Some employees reportedly threatened to call the police, while others shut the door in the faces of the visiting managers. Dirk Schulze, a regional leader at the metalworkers’ union IG Metall, condemned the visits as “absurd” and emphasized the extreme pressure and excessive workloads Tesla workers are experiencing.

Elon Musk has acknowledged the issue, responding to a post on X with, “This sounds crazy. Looking into it.” Musk is well-known for his high work expectations, having previously pushed his employees to meet ambitious production goals. Earlier this year, he urged Tesla staff to prepare for heavier workloads as the company accelerates its electric vehicle production plans.

There are reports that healthy employees are being overburdened to cover for absent colleagues, escalating stress and tension within the workforce. Tesla has faced criticism before over its work culture, with past allegations of employees working so hard that some ended up sleeping on the factory floors.

This recent controversy has sparked questions about Tesla’s management practices and the well-being of its workers, with both employees and industry observers waiting for Musk’s promised investigation.

As of now, Tesla has yet to issue an official comment on the matter.