Tesla Germany faces backlash for sending managers to employees' homes during sick leave

In defence of its approach, Tesla maintained that visiting sick employees was a standard practice designed to ensure accountability.

Tesla’s management in Germany has faced criticism after sending supervisors to the homes of employees on sick leave, in an attempt to address rising absenteeism at the company's Berlin Gigafactory. This practice, which involved visiting around 30 workers who had called in sick, has triggered significant backlash from both employees and unions, raising questions about the company’s approach to worker well-being and absenteeism management.

Several employees reacted negatively to these home visits, with some reportedly closing their doors on supervisors or threatening to involve the police. The company’s efforts to curtail sick leave rates, however, were defended by André Thierig, senior director at Tesla's Grünheide plant, who argued that the practice of checking on workers was "not unusual" and intended to reinforce a sense of responsibility among the workforce.

Thierig further stated that the increase in absenteeism was not linked to working conditions at Tesla, but rather due to the exploitation of Germany’s generous sick leave policy, which entitles employees to full pay for up to six weeks of absence.

The absenteeism rate at the Berlin Gigafactory has reportedly reached 17% among its 12,000 employees, with notably higher instances on Fridays and during late shifts. This figure is substantially higher than the 5% average sick leave rate in the German automotive sector. In response to this issue, Tesla introduced an incentive scheme offering a €1,000 bonus to workers who attend more than 95% of their scheduled shifts. Despite these efforts, Tesla executives have been critical of those frequently taking sick leave, describing their actions as an abuse of the system.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also weighed in on the situation, commenting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he would be “looking into” the matter. Musk, known for advocating a "hardcore" work culture, has previously pushed employees to meet production deadlines by working long hours, with reports of him even sleeping at the factory during critical periods.

The handling of sick leave has brought Tesla into conflict with unions, particularly IG Metall, Germany’s largest union representing automotive workers. IG Metall’s regional director, Dirk Schulze, attributed the high rates of absenteeism to the demanding workload and safety concerns at the plant. Schulze argued that frequent staff shortages were placing excessive pressure on both sick and healthy employees, stating, “When there are staff shortages, ill workers are pressured, and those who remain healthy are overburdened.”

Tesla has previously faced criticism for its sick leave policies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, workers in the US reported being terminated after calling in sick, despite the company’s assurances that they could take leave if they felt unsafe returning to work. In another instance, employees at Tesla’s Nevada factory claimed they were threatened with termination for taking unapproved sick days, which the company labelled "unplanned."

The growing absenteeism at Tesla's Berlin plant adds to the challenges the company has faced since the factory’s opening in 2022. Initially expected to produce up to a million vehicles per year, the plant has struggled to meet production targets due to a mix of supply chain disruptions, production delays, and a slowdown in demand. Safety concerns have also surfaced, with reports of workplace injuries, including burns and amputations, exacerbating concerns over conditions at the factory.

In defence of its approach, Tesla maintained that visiting sick employees was a standard practice designed to ensure accountability. Nonetheless, unions and workers have voiced frustration, arguing that these tactics only contribute to the mounting stress on an already strained workforce. Despite the ongoing debate, the company continues to push for improved attendance and productivity at its Berlin Gigafactory.