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Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

cnn.com

11–20 of 290 posts

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#11
post #2

> [Former Tesla VP] Capers Workman, who is Black, has since left Tesla. Without commenting on the story or the case itself, I have to say that from a purely journalistic perspective, it is very weird to be calling out the race(s) of people related to a story when it’s not central or key to the reporting. The race of Workman seems to bear no relation to the story itself, so why the callout?

> The race of Workman seems to bear no relation to the story itself, so why the callout?

I didn't understand 'callout'. "a statement drawing critical attention to someone's unacceptable actions or behaviour."

You feel stating the race of the VP was a statement drawing critical attention to someone's unacceptable actions or behaviour?

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#12

After legal fees and taxes, that's about 500,000. Hope it was worth it.

Depends on if the goal was a payday, or to send a message.

Well they did reject a $15m payout after they won the first trial.

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#13
The whole thing is quite fascinating.

1. This contractor complained about racist slurs

2. Tesla fired two contractors who were identified as participating in this

3. Tesla suspended one who drew a racist cartoon

4. Tesla did the usual corporate training stuff.

This news article is light on content, so I'm going to have to go read what new facts came about in the actual case and I really don't care enough to do that, so I'm hoping someone here has :)

If it was only that which I thought it was, then I'm not sure what should have been done instead.

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#14
> Tesla has denied the charges that the situation was as bad as alleged in the two suits, but it has admitted there were problems which needed to be addressed at the plant [...] We do recognize that in 2015 and 2016 we were not perfect. We’re still not perfect. But we have come a long way from 5 years ago.

Discrimination lawsuits are not exactly an easy thing to win, it usually becomes unbearable long before it's overt enough you can take it to court. If we're at the point where he won and this is by the VPs own admission significantly better than 5 years ago then good lord.

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#16
post #3
post #2

> [Former Tesla VP] Capers Workman, who is Black, has since left Tesla. Without commenting on the story or the case itself, I have to say that from a purely journalistic perspective, it is very weird to be calling out the race(s) of people related to a story when it’s not central or key to the reporting. The race of Workman seems to bear no relation to the story itself, so why the callout?

> The race of Workman seems to bear no relation to the story itself, in a story about racism you think the person's race bear no relation to the story itself?

By mentioning skin color in that sentence they seem to be implying it is connected to why she left the company. But they don't present any evidence of this, so why mention it?

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#17
post #14

> Tesla has denied the charges that the situation was as bad as alleged in the two suits, but it has admitted there were problems which needed to be addressed at the plant [...] We do recognize that in 2015 and 2016 we were not perfect. We’re still not perfect. But we have come a long way from 5 years ago. Discrimination lawsuits are not exactly an easy thing to win, it usually becomes unbearable long before it's ove…

[flagged]

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#18

The whole thing is quite fascinating. 1. This contractor complained about racist slurs 2. Tesla fired two contractors who were identified as participating in this 3. Tesla suspended one who drew a racist cartoon 4. Tesla did the usual corporate training stuff. This news article is light on content, so I'm going to have to go read what new facts came about in the actual case and I really don't care enough to do that,…

The LA Times wrote several in depth pieces investigating Tesla. It wasn't just what you've listed, it was far beyond what is acceptable at any employer anywhere.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-03-25/black-tesl...

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#19
post #17
post #14

> Tesla has denied the charges that the situation was as bad as alleged in the two suits, but it has admitted there were problems which needed to be addressed at the plant [...] We do recognize that in 2015 and 2016 we were not perfect. We’re still not perfect. But we have come a long way from 5 years ago. Discrimination lawsuits are not exactly an easy thing to win, it usually becomes unbearable long before it's ove…

[flagged]

I don't think that is fair. I don't think he has pushed a culture of racism but one of rapid growth. That rapid growth has allowed racism to grow unchecked, and that is a failure of management at the highest level. But, to say that is the same as joining the klan goes beyond hyperbole.

Re: Tesla ordered to pay more than $3M to former worker in racism suit

#20
post #6
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The race of Workman seems to bear no relation to the story itself, in a story about racism you think the person's race bear no relation to the story itself?

How is the race of a member of the company’s management relevant to a lawsuit about alleged racism against workers in a factory?

if Tesla's management was all white it would certainly play into the claim that Tesla is racist. However I did misread the story.
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