A Tesla employee who worked at the company for five years expressed disbelief after being laid off in a role he described as "really hard."
Tesla has long gained a reputation for being a demanding workplace, as indicated by Glassdoor reviews, where employees often work long hours and are required to dedicate time on weekends.
A Moment of Feeling Trapped in A Nightmare
Despite years of dedication and proven abilities, many employees in the tech and IT sectors have found themselves facing layoffs. Like others in the tech industry, a Tesla employee was shocked when he received an email informing him that his position had been eliminated. After joining Elon Musk's company in 2019 as an entry-level production associate, he was taken aback when, after five years of hard work, he received the news of his layoff.
During the interview with Business Insider, the man described how he progressed within the company over five years, ultimately reaching the role of production supervisor. He recounted how he was en route to work when he received the email about his position's elimination. Upon attempting to use his badge at the turnstile, a security guard confiscated it and informed him of the impact of the job cuts, which left him feeling as though he was trapped in a nightmare.
Being Resilient Because of Tesla's Culture
The Tesla employee elaborated that he worked diligently during his tenure at Tesla to maximize efficiency and productivity. His shifts often extended to around 12 hours. As he was on a salaried basis, there were occasions when he had to stay even longer to fulfill his responsibilities and opted to sleep inside his car in 2021 to minimize travel time. He compared the job to being an industrial athlete due to constant movement and believed additional rest was necessary for his productivity, efficiency, and friendliness at work.
He opted to stay at the factory to eliminate his hour-and-a-half commute while his coworkers were surprised, as it was not a common practice in the company's culture. Losing his job at Tesla taught him the importance of adapting swiftly in life, emphasizing that dwelling on things or complaining does not get you anywhere.
Despite being laid off, the former Tesla employee emphasized that his opinion of Tesla remained unchanged. He still strongly identifies with the company's mission and goals. While he dedicated himself to his work at Tesla, this setback does not diminish his commitment to being a diligent worker.
Tesla Gears Towards Its Next Phase of Growth
With over 140,000 employees as of December, Tesla continuously reduces its workforce by 10% due to a decline in electric vehicle demand to ensure the company remains agile, innovative, and ready for the next growth phase, according to CEO Elon Musk's memo to staff.
