Ex-Tesla worker rejects US$15 million award in racism case

An ex-Tesla worker from Black who said he was harassed and faced with “daily racist epithets,” including the “N-word,” while working at the company’s Fremont, Calif., plant has rejected a substantially reduced award of US$15 million in his lawsuit.

Owen Diaz was an elevator operator for Tesla in 2015 and 2016. He was awarded $6.9M in damages for emotional distress, and $130M in punitive damages.

According to court filings, a judge reduced the amount by almost 90% to $15 million. Diaz rejected this offer. Diaz’s rejection could lead to a new trial.

Diaz claimed that employees left racist graffiti and drawings all around the plant, and that supervisors failed stop them.

Tesla representatives were not available for comment Wednesday night.