Tesla Diversity Report: White Men Dominate Leadership

According to Tesla’s inaugural diversity and inclusion report, released on Friday, the company’s highest-ranking positions are predominantly held by white men, with Black employees filling only 4% of these roles.

The report indicates that, across its U.S. operations – encompassing facilities in California, Nevada, and New York – Tesla employs a diverse workforce including women, as well as individuals of Black, Hispanic, and Asian descent. Approximately 60% of the total workforce identifies as Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American and Pacific Islander. However, the workforce is largely male, with men constituting 79% of all employees. This figure rises to 83% when considering only leadership positions. Furthermore, 59% of those in leadership roles are white.

Here’s a breakdown of the company’s U.S. workforce statistics:

• Black employees: Account for 10% of the workforce. Representation within management has increased by 60%, with 4% currently in “director level and above” positions. In 2020, 12% of new hires were Black or African American, marking a 9% increase from the prior year. Black employees also received 10% of promotions in 2020, an 11% improvement over 2019.
• Asian employees: Represent 21% of the workforce. A quarter of Asian employees are in leadership roles. Asian employees made up 20% of all new hires and 23% of all promotions, a 15% increase year-over-year.
• Hispanic and Latinx employees: Comprise 22% of the workforce, but only 4% of those at the “Director level and above.” This group accounted for 24% of all promotions this year – a 14% increase. Approximately 27% of all new hires in 2020 were Hispanic or Latinx.
• Women: Make up 21% of Tesla’s overall U.S. workforce and received 23% of all promotions – a 5% increase from the previous year. They hold 17% of “Director” and “Vice President” positions. Nearly 25% of all U.S. hires in 2020 were women.
• Men: Represent 79% of the workforce in the United States and occupy 83% of leadership positions.
• Veterans: Constitute 4% of the U.S. workforce.
• Additional groups: This category, encompassing employees who identify as Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, represents 7% of the workforce and 1% of leadership.

Tesla did not disclose information regarding the retention rates of its minority employees, data which could offer insights into the company’s culture and the effectiveness of its inclusion initiatives. The report also lacked data on the number of employees with disabilities. While the company noted support for LGBTQ employees, it did not provide a breakdown of their representation within the workforce or in leadership roles.

The company stated it recognizes the need for further progress in these areas.

“Acknowledging the historical underrepresentation of women in the technology and automotive sectors, we understand there is work to be done,” the company stated in its report, as part of its broader employment objectives. The report further indicated that Tesla is “actively pursuing” strategies to broaden its outreach to women and foster an inclusive environment that supports their growth and continued employment. “Increasing the representation of women at all levels, particularly in leadership, is a key focus for 2021,” the report affirmed.

Tesla highlighted several initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining women and minorities, including recruitment efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and an expansion of its internship program. However, the company did not establish specific targets or a timeline for achieving improvements in its diversity and inclusion metrics.