Tesla Criticized for Making Home Visits to Sick Employees in Berlin a Standard Practice

Berlin Tesla Gigafactory Chief Criticized for Normalizing Home Visits to Employees on Sick Leave

André Thierig, head of Tesla's gigafactory in Berlin, has come under fire for implementing a controversial practice of visiting employees on sick leave.

Tesla Management Criticized for Checking on Sick Employees

Management at Tesla’s Grünheide factory, located near Berlin, has faced backlash after it was revealed that bosses visited the homes of around 24 employees who were on paid sick leave over the past nine months. 

Thierig accused some employees of exploiting German labor laws, noting that temporary workers at the plant had an average sick leave rate of 2 percent. Unlike permanent employees, temporary staff in Germany have fewer protections from dismissal.

Union Cites “Culture of Fear” at Tesla Factory

The German union IG Metall, which represents a portion of Tesla's 12,000 employees at the Brandenburg plant, reported a sick leave rate of 15 percent among permanent workers. For comparison, Germany's national sick leave rate was 5.8 percent in early 2024, considered high by health insurance provider DAK-Gesundheit.

According to IG Metall, the high rate of sick leave at Tesla is due to a "culture of fear" and "extremely high workloads." Regional director Dirk Schulze said staff shortages put pressure on sick workers to return and overload those still on the job.

Safety Concerns at Tesla’s Berlin Plant

Since the plant opened in 2022, several incidents have raised safety concerns. German magazine *Stern* reported accidents, including a fire caused by a battery, which led to contaminated water seeping into the soil, and an illegal fuel station that leaked 250 liters of diesel.

Can Employers Check on Employees on Sick Leave in Germany?

In Germany, employees must notify their employer immediately if they are sick and provide a doctor's note if they are absent for more than three days. Employers are required to continue paying regular wages for up to six weeks of sick leave. After this period, employees can claim sickness benefits from their health insurance provider, amounting to 70 percent of their gross salary.

While it's not illegal for employers to check on sick employees, it is uncommon for companies in Germany to send representatives to visit employees during their leave.