Tesla is tracking badging and emailing those that don't show up at least 4/5 days
Tesla has started sending emails to those that don't show up 16 days minimum in the month. The email directs you to email your boss with an explanation and copy the absence tracking group. This feels wrong. I can't quite put it into words why it bothers me, it feels like it's an overstep. It's controlling. Its disrespectful. But on the other hand, if the company wants to be in-office, is this within their right to do? Is it fair to track badging? I suppose yes? Of course neither party is required to stay, and I am looking for an exit - but I wanted to open this up to the forum and get opinions on why exactly this feels wrong and shitty to do. ------ This really picked up and I see a ton of people saying it's a move to force out some more people, indirectly laying folks off. Here is why I don't think that's the case: Tesla already gives pitiful/no severance. Doing it this way you almost certainly risk losing your high performers, in fact more so than your low performers who are not confident in their ability to jump ship. End result? A talent attrition that outpaces people attrition. aka not good. Plus, bad company PR is bad company PR regardless. Tesla doesn't need to just impress "starry eyed college grads", they need to impress them enough to be picked over other big tech companies that are less notorious for BS. Especially when the pay is lower. If they can't do that? Inability to retain talent. Once again, not good. Another point is, Tesla is typically understaffed. Maybe some teams have it easy, but most teams I know are too busy to be able to afford a size cut. A move like this means you're risking your most precious teams losing their most valuable members while making noise on social media and inviting bad PR that drives away future talent too. I can't see this being some intelligent indirect chess move to save on severance payout. The indirect costs of shitty management like this is way higher than whatever benefit there's to be had for the company. Curious to hear your thoughts if you disagree. ---- BTW everyone saying leave, I'm working on it! if your team is looking for Data Engineer/Data Scientist, dm me - I could use a referral!
Tesla isn't completely wrong to expect employees to come back, but this is excessive and a dick move at that
Except they have never ever had enough desks for everyone. It’s a play to fire people.
yeah, I skipped this in the post, but there is a whole side to this issue where RTO isnt even well thought out because we dont have space in our offices. LOL Idk man, I might wait till my next vest to leave or just take the hit if the sign-on can match.
Sounds horrible for both ICs and the managers who now have to enforce this process
I would start a system with a couple other coworkers where one person signs in using everyone’s badges one week and rotate. We used to do the same thing with iClickers back in college.
Seems like a bad idea. Cameras at entry points would show what's going on, it would only take one time messing up for them to be on it. And based on OPs post it sounds like they would try and track it down and stop it. In many places badges equal "access" in a legal sense, which means it might be a breach of your employment contract and you could get fired for-cause. Not a great outcome.
This sucks! Hope you get out of that shithole soon. I truly believe many people will jump ship after their stock vest.
How else will they track if the policy is set up for people to show up? Now, I see the point where they are forcing people to RTO but if it’s their policy then they need to track it as well and if this works for them then that’s what they will do. I personally don’t like the dictatorial attitude of EM but it’s his company. His point is you are welcome to stay if you are ok with the policy and if not leave.
I see what you mean, its a means to an end for enforcing company policy. Besides the fact that the policy is backwards, because like you said, its E's company, I just feel like this type of behaviour is high friction with employees and doesn't foster an environment of care and pride. And if its not received, it can't be returned by employees. So, the consequence here is reduced employee throughput. Not to mention attrition. Plus, Tesla internally has terrible documentation, so much work gets done just based off the knowledge of those who have been here a while. Alienating those will be a big loss for Tesla.
Its a public company… with responsibilities to shareholders and employees
What was it like pre pandemic if you were told to be in the office and you just decided not to go in? Was the process the same or something different. Curious to hear how it was at other companies besides Tesla as well.
Was mostly dependent on your team or manager. If you couldn’t or didn’t want to go to office and had no reason to be there that day maybe you’d just drop a message to your manager. No big brother back then, that’s for sure.
Thanks for the response. If I was at Tesla and had to deal with this I’d be out as fast as I could find another job. Sounds like the company has changed for the worse post pandemic.
This is next level of micromanagement
My startup is building device to track physical contact time in designated office chair. Hopefully we can get more of this in the world!
This is perhaps the most useless idea I have heard till date What if I just prefer to stand at my desk? Your product is now redundant, there are plenty of ways to track work from your computer activity lol
We are also doing feet on floor mat option so people standing can be comfortable while being tracked
You guys should set up a designated badger. Get 5 people in board. Each person goes in Once a week and scans everyone’s badges. Play the game. I remember the anxiety of being treated like shit by management that hoped I would quit. Jokes on them when they all go fired after I left 😀
How do you like Rivian so far? How is the work culture and WLB compared to Tesla?
Night and day compared to Tesla. I’ve been with Rivian for over 4 years and I love my directors and Coworkers and product. Was at Tesla for 4 as well. It’s hard and def stressful but not any harder than work at Tesla, with wayyyyyy better and more respectful leadership.
Never Elon, you learned your lesson
Would this result in an exodus?
I feel like anyone who is not still vesting lucrative stocks will look for an exit. They have to, given how hostile and disrespectful the workplace has become. It no longer feels like a place to come and do your best work, there seems to be ridiculous policies surrounding showing face which seem backwards.
Can confirm, I want to leave so badly but my golden handcuffs are heavy. Joined 2 years ago before the big run up