California defeats Tesla's attempt to throw out racial discrimination lawsuit

In a significant development, a California judge has denied Tesla's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) alleging a pattern of racial discrimination at the electric vehicle manufacturer. The Alameda County Superior Court's decision clears the way for the case to proceed to trial, currently set for July 20. The lawsuit, filed over four years ago, alleges widespread discrimination at Tesla, particularly at its Fremont factory.

The CRD claims that Black workers are subjected to racist slurs, paid less for their work, and face threats of being fired for speaking out. "Tesla's employment practices remain rooted in some of the ugliest relics of the past," said Kevin Kish, Director of the CRD. "Black workers are paid less for their work.

They are subjected to racist slurs. They face threats of being fired for speaking out... We look forward to having our day in court to hold Tesla accountable and to protect the rights of workers in our state.” The lawsuit seeks financial damages and injunctive relief, with claims of discrimination dating back to June 2018 potentially being heard at trial.

While the judge partially granted Tesla's request to block claims under the statute of limitations, only incidents occurring before June 18, 2018, were dismissed. The CRD's lawsuit marks a significant escalation of allegations of racial misconduct at Tesla. The company has faced mounting criticism over its handling of workplace diversity and inclusion.

The trial is expected to shed light on the company's employment practices and may have far-reaching implications for Tesla and the broader tech industry. The ruling is a major victory for the CRD, which has been investigating Tesla's employment practices for several years. The agency's efforts to hold Tesla accountable reflect a broader push to address systemic racism and inequality in the workplace.