Tesla Sexual Harassment Lawsuits: Six More Women Sue

Tesla Faces New Allegations of Sexual Harassment at Fremont Factory

Following Jessica Barraza’s recent lawsuit, an additional six current and former female employees have publicly accused Tesla of maintaining a workplace culture characterized by pervasive sexual harassment. The allegations center around conditions at the company’s manufacturing facility located in Fremont, California.

Details of the Complaints

The women filed separate complaints on Tuesday with the Superior Court in Alameda County, detailing experiences of consistent catcalling, unwelcome advances, unwanted physical contact, and discriminatory treatment during their employment.

Jessica Brooks, one of the plaintiffs, asserts that harassment began on her very first day of orientation. She alleges a supervisor instructed male colleagues to “observe the new female employee.”

Experiences Described by Plaintiffs

Brooks states the harassment was relentless, prompting her to construct physical barriers – stacking boxes – around her workstation to discourage coworkers from making unwanted advances. She also reported the issue to Tesla’s Human Resources department.

According to Brooks, the company’s response involved reassigning her to a different area of the factory, rather than directly addressing the harassing behavior.

“I was exhausted by the constant unwanted attention and the leering gazes,” Brooks explained to The Washington Post. “Creating a barrier felt necessary simply to perform my job.”

Allegations of a Hostile Work Environment

Barraza’s initial lawsuit last month described the Fremont plant as experiencing “nightmarish” working conditions. Her complaint characterized the factory floor as resembling “a primitive construction site or a fraternity house” rather than a modern electric vehicle manufacturing facility.

A common thread among the seven women who have filed suit is a connection between the alleged abuse and the conduct of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. One complaint stated, “He frequently made jokes referencing the numbers 69 or 420… which emboldened technicians to engage in even worse behavior.”

Similar Accusations Against SpaceX

These developments coincide with accusations leveled against Musk’s other company, SpaceX, by five former employees. They allege that SpaceX also failed to adequately address instances of sexual harassment.

Tesla’s Response

Requests for comment have been directed to Tesla, however, the automaker does not maintain a public relations department.

The company previously responded to a recent court order requiring a $137 million payout to a Black worker who experienced daily racist abuse at the Fremont factory, stating: “We are continually evolving and improving our processes for addressing employee concerns. We occasionally make mistakes, and accountability is essential when that occurs.”

This article was originally published on Engadget.