Tesla Worker Sparks Debate on Work-Life Balance
Tesla is known as a demanding workplace, with its Glassdoor reviews noting that employees typically work long hours and put in time on the weekends. But a recent LinkedIn post from a Tesla worker who lost his job earlier this month is sparking a debate about whether workers should make such sacrifices for their employers.
In the post, former Tesla worker Nico Murillo writes about his dedication to the electric vehicle maker, noting that he slept in his car on weekdays at one point in 2023 to cut out his 1.5-hour commute. "Showered at the factory and slept in the parking lot. Microwaved dinner in the break room," he wrote.
Then, Murillo wrote, he logged into his computer on April 15 at 4:30 a.m. to find his account had been deactivated. He soon noticed an email that read, "Unfortunately as a result, your position has been eliminated by this restructuring." Murillo nevertheless drove to his office and tried to badge in.
"[T]he security guard took my badge and told me I was laid off," Murillo wrote. "Sat in my car in disbelief."
Describing his roughly 5 years at Tesla, where his most recent role was as a production supervisor, he added, "Sacrificed a lot for the company."
Tesla, which had more than 140,000 workers as of December, is in the process of cutting 10% of its employees as it copes with a slump in demand for its electric vehicles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a memo to staff that the layoffs are needed to "enable us to be lean, innovative and hungry for the next growth phase cycle."
But Murillo's description of his dedication to Tesla and his abrupt firing has sparked an outpouring on LinkedIn, with more than 1,600 replies. One common refrain came from people who described themselves as having gone through similar experiences, and who now said they question whether it's worth giving so much time and energy to an employer.
"After 17 years with a company and 1 year away from retirement, headquarters in Utah phoned me to tell me my position was being eliminated and I was to vacate the building immediately," one LinkedIn member responded to Murillo. "I also gave everything to my job but made too much. Corporations do not care about the people."
Another commenter added, "[D]o not sacrifice your health, time and well-being for any organization because as you see they will let you go without any remorse."
Further Layoffs at Tesla
Following recent reports by Eletrek and The Information, Tesla seems to be in the midst of more layoffs. In a memo on Monday, Elon Musk announced the departure of two senior executives, Rebecca Tinucci and Daniel Ho.
Earlier this month, Tesla reported a significant drop of 55% in first-quarter profit, attributed to declining global sales and internal price reductions. Revenue also fell by 9% to $21.3 billion.
The slowdown in consumer demand for electric vehicles, along with concerns about cost and performance in adverse conditions like cold weather, has impacted Tesla's market share as competitors introduce their own EV models.
While restructuring is common in struggling companies, the toll on employees facing job loss can be substantial, particularly for those who have dedicated significant time and effort to the company.
Despite leaving his position at Tesla, he remains optimistic about his future career prospects. "I'm still young at 29 and have many more years ahead of me to further my career," he stated.
