Former Tesla employees are suing the EV manufacturer, claiming that the recent mass layoffs violated federal law. The ex-Tesla workers believe that the company did not provide enough advanced notice required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act).
As per Bloomberg, John Lynch and Daxton Hartsfield from Giga Nevada claim that the company did not fulfill the 60-day notification requirement under the WARN Act. According to the federal law, employers “shall not order a plant closing or mass layoff until the end of a 60-day period after the employer serves written notice of such an order.”
The two former Tesla workers worked in Giga Nevada for nearly five years. They filed a lawsuit against Tesla on Sunday in Austin, Texas federal court. Lynch and Hartsfield claim they did not receive advanced notice of termination from Tesla. Lynch said he received a notice of termination on June 10, while Hartsfield received his notification on June 15. Both their terminations were “effective immediately.”
Under WARN, the employer must inform each representative of the employees or the employees directly when the notice is released. A written notice of a mass layoff must also be provided to the State or entity designated by the State to carry out rapid response activities. The chief elected official of the unit of local government where the mass layoff will occur must also be notified.
Lynch and Hartsfield are seeking a class-action lawsuit against Tesla on behalf of other workers who were part of the company’s mass layoffs in May and June. The plaintiffs seek compensation and benefits for 60 days after their termination notice, including attorney fees and costs.
The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, reach out to me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.
