Tesla's controversial 'sick leave' checks: Managers visiting employees at home

Tesla's decision to send managers to the homes of workers on long-term sick leave at its German factory has sparked controversy. André Thierig, production manager at Tesla's gigafactory in Berlin-Brandenburg, defended the move, stating that home visits are a "common practice" in the industry regarding employee work ethics. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from IG Metall, the powerful labor union representing the majority of the factory's 12,000 employees.

In recent weeks, managers were sent to check on approximately two dozen workers, some of whom had been on sick leave for as long as nine months while continuing to receive full pay. Thierig explained that Tesla's goal was not to intimidate workers, but to ensure that employees were fulfilling their responsibilities in good faith. 

Regarding the issue, Thierig said, "It is a move regarding employee work ethics. In cases where individuals are absent for long periods, it is our responsibility to ensure that they are truly unable to work." Thierig also pointed out that, like other companies, Tesla must strike a balance between maintaining a productive workforce and complying with Germany's labor protection laws.

'THEY WANT TO REDUCE SICK LEAVE RATES'

However, IG Metall reacted with anger, accusing the company of creating a "culture of fear" at the gigafactory located in Grünheide, southeast of Berlin. The union has long criticized working conditions at the factory, highlighting excessively long working hours and inadequate health and safety standards. Dirk Schulze, district manager for IG Metall, stated, "Employees from almost every area of the factory report an excessive workload. When workers get sick, they are pressured to return to work in a very short time, and those who remain healthy are burdened with additional tasks. If Tesla is serious about reducing sick leave rates, this vicious cycle of stress must be broken."

According to the union, the sick leave rate at the factory is high, often reaching 15 percent or more of the workforce. Workers report experiencing high levels of stress, which they attribute to the intense demands placed on them by management. IG Metall claims that the factory's production targets and working environment contribute directly to the increase in the number of sick employees.

'SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS BEING ABUSED'

In response, Thierig pointed out that the absenteeism rate due to illness among Tesla's 1,500 temporary workers, who work under similar conditions to full-time staff, is only 2 percent. Drawing attention to patterns in sick leave data, Thierig emphasized that 5 percent more employees call in sick on Fridays and during late shifts compared to other times, arguing that this is not an indicator of poor working conditions, but rather shows that some workers are abusing Germany's social security system.

Thierig stated, "Some patterns became apparent in our attendance analyses," and added, "Working conditions are consistent across all shifts, so when we see higher absenteeism rates on certain days, we think something else might be going on." 

News Source: 12punto