Tesla's Bold Move: Ensuring Sick Leave Integrity in Germany

Tesla's Unprecedented Strategy

Tesla, Inc. is taking a startling approach regarding sick leave among its employees in Germany. The company's management has decided to conduct home visits for workers who call in sick, aiming to verify the legitimacy of these absences. This decision has ignited a wave of frustration among employees, many of whom have reportedly responded by slamming doors or even calling the police.

Background of the Sick Leave Crisis

According to Handelsblatt, the sick leave rate at Tesla's factory near Berlin is alarmingly high, recorded at 17% in August, far exceeding the national average of 6.1% for 2023. In an attempt to address this issue, the company had previously offered a €1,000 ($1,120) bonus to workers who maintained a sick leave rate of less than 5%. The latest figures indicate that this strategy failed to yield significant change.

Management's Response and Employee Sentiment

• Managing Director André Thierig and HR Director Erik Demmler are directly involved in these home visits.
• In a recording obtained by Handelsblatt, Demmler stated the rationale behind this decision, explaining that they targeted 30 employees based on irregular sick days.
• Despite attempts to justify the visits by citing practices at other companies, worker morale is likely to suffer due to these heightened scrutiny measures.

With such high absentee rates and controversial actions, Tesla's policy raises more questions about the balance between employee rights and company interests. As the situation unfolds, the implications for Tesla's workplace culture and reputation could be significant.