Tesla Faces Another Sexual‑Harassment Lawsuit—And It’s Not a One‑Shot
Just a month after a first lawsuit, a second woman has taken legal action against Tesla, accusing the electric‑car giant of fostering a “hostile work environment” that gasps for justice. The new filing comes from the very same plant in Fremont, California, turning the spotlight even brighter on the company’s workplace culture.
What the Second Complaint Says
Erica Cloud—now an assembly‑line worker—folds her name into a legal suit filed with Alameda County Superior Court on December 8. She claims that a former manager not only made crude, suggestive remarks but also hugged and massaged her in ways that left her feeling “continuous and pervasive” sexual harassment. In retaliation, she says, other managers turned the heat on her after she raised her concerns with Tesla’s human‑resources team.
Key Allegations
- “Hostile work environment” driven by gender bias, stating that Tesla never stepped in to stop or correct the harassment.
- Retaliation by managers after Erica reported the incidents.
- Failure on the part of Tesla to apply any meaningful corrective actions.
Previous Tale in the Same Plant
Eleven days before, Jessica Barraza—a fellow female worker—also filed a lawsuit, accusing Tesla of an “overwhelming culture of sexual harassment” that includes daily sexist chatter, groping, and a general lack of regard for worker dignity. The lawsuit argues that some supervisors and managers may even be the very culprits.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes
Believe it or not, Tesla doesn’t even have a PR department to keep things smooth. When Reuters last sent questions about these claims, the company didn’t even respond—just like a traffic jam that never cleared up.
Past Nutmeg Verdict
In October, a black contract worker at the same factory won an eye‑watering $137 million jury award over workplace racism—an episode that pushed the company’s shareholders to demand a full audit of Tesla’s diversity and inclusion policies.
What Does This Mean for Tesla?
Two lawsuits, one after another, forming a growing list of complaints that television cameras would love to highlight. If the corporate world is playing a “back to the future” exam, Tesla has to prove it understands that a workplace is not a battleground for gendered harassment and racism. Whether the wheels will keep turning or they’ll find themselves stuck on a broken road remains to be seen.
