A former worker at Tesla’s Fremont plant has been awarded $1 million after he was racially abused on the job.
Melvin Berry had alleged that Tesla failed to respond when he complained about being called the “N-word”, and claimed there were Nazi swastikas and other hateful graffiti around the California factory.
Berry was hired by Tesla as a materials handler in 2015, but when he confronted a supervisor for using a racial slur against him, he says he was forced to work longer hours and push a heavier cart.
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As the Detroit Bureau points out, the case is unusual both for the size of the settlement and the fact that the details have been aired. Most arbitration cases are kept secret, but this one became a matter of public record because Berry’s attorney’s were forced to take Tesla to court to get the company to pay the money their client was rightfully owed.
Despite the size of the award, Berry is unlikely to celebrate by buying a vintage Ferrari or new hypercar. Most of the $1.02 million Tesla coughed up went towards lawyers fees, though Berry was given $266,278.50 in damages, including $100,000 for emotional distress.
“I hope the world knows that an arbitrator found Tesla treats its employees like this,” the 47-year-old Berry told Bloomberg.
This case wasn’t the first time Tesla has been criticised by former employees. In 2017, following previous allegations, Tesla was forced to make a statement where it claimed the company “is absolutely against any form of discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment of any kind.”