Tesla Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Allegations of Racism and Hostile Work Environment

A Black former Tesla employee is seeking to expand his 2017 lawsuit against the automaker, alleging racial discrimination and a hostile work environment.

Marcus Vaughn, the original plaintiff, has filed a request for class-action status, supported by sworn statements from nearly 240 other Black former workers and contractors. They detailed racist graffiti and the use of racial slurs in the workplace.

Vaughn’s lawyers estimate that up to 6,000 Black workers could be qualified to join the case. If approved, this would present a significant challenge to Tesla, according to Bloomberg. Class-action status allows plaintiffs to consolidate their resources and negotiate settlements more effectively. The hearing for class-action status is scheduled for mid-July.

In response to Vaughn’s lawsuit, Tesla published a blog post titled "Hotbed of Misinformation," downplaying the allegations of racial behavior. However, the company has faced multiple high-profile lawsuits related to racism, including one filed by the state of California in 2022.