Tesla factory workers who stayed home due to COVID fears face termination

Two workers, Carlos Gabriel and Jessica Naro, say that they received termination notices from Tesla last week after taking unpaid time off in an effort to avoid the coronavirus. The San Jose Mercury News first reported Gabriel's termination notice last week.

Both workers say that they were contacted this week by Tesla's HR department. Naro was given the opportunity to come back to work if she committed to a return date. She declined because her 6-year-old son has a health condition that puts him at heightened risk.

Gabriel ended his call after the Tesla rep refused to allow him to record it. He hasn't heard back since and believes he is no longer on Tesla's payroll.

Last month, Tesla opened its flagship Fremont factory in defiance of public health officials in Alameda County, where the factory is located. To help address safety concerns, Tesla executives emphasized that no one would be forced to come back to work if they felt unsafe doing so.

"If you feel uncomfortable coming back to work at this time, please do not feel obligated to do so," Musk told employees in a May email prior to Tesla re-opening its factory.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/06/tesla-factory-workers-who-stayed-home-due-to-covid-fears-face-termination/?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=biz&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_mailing=thematic_business_062920&utm_medium=email&bxid=5be9f8cb24c17c6adf0e5d24&cndid=25394153&utm_content=Final&utm_term=Thematic_Business