Elon Musk takes campaign against working from home to another extreme

Elon Musk at 2022 Met Gala
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Following the rollout of a company-wide ban on remote working, Tesla has begun to take steps against workers who are failing to show up.

Office-based Tesla employees must swipe into their workplaces, which registers their attendance. It has now emerged that an automated message is being sent to workers who do not swipe in frequently enough.

“You are receiving this email because there is no record of you using your badge to enter a Tesla facility on at least 16 days over the 30-day period ending on June 28,” reads the message, shared with The Telegraph.

Recipients of the message are reportedly being asked to explain their absence to both line managers and report to a company monitoring system.

Tesla returns to office-based working

A prior email, sent by Musk to Tesla employees on 31 May 2022, read: “Anyone who wishes to do remote work must be in the office for a minimum (and I mean minimum) of 40 hours per week or depart Tesla. This is less than we ask of factory workers.”

Musk has, however, previously suggested that particularly "excellent contributors” may be allowed to work from home.

This follows a turbulent week in which 200 staff were fired and a California office closed its doors, as part of a wider operation that will see the company reduce its salaried workforce by 10%. Reportedly, the move should not affect manufacturing staff “building cars, battery packs or installing solar".

Overall, hundreds of workers are likely to have been left disappointed by the hard stance on remote working. And with so many companies embracing hybrid working routines globally, the Tesla workforce could be in for a shake-up.

Via The Telegraph

Craig Hale

With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!