News hardware and software December 6, 2022, 13:53

Tesla’s German factory is having trouble finding workers. Only 7,000 people were employed there. from 12 thousand needed people, which may negatively affect the pace of production of electric vehicles, preventing the company’s plans from being implemented.

Elon Musk recently laid off several thousand Twitter employees, and meanwhile he can not find people willing to work in another of his businesses. As reported by Wired, the Tesla factory located in Grunheide has a problem finding people willing to work in the production of electric cars. 5,000 Model Ys were to roll off the assembly lines of the complex, which opened in March, each week. Achieving such a pace will be difficult, however, due to the lack of hands to work. Only 7,000 people are employed in the factory. out of the planned 12,000 people.

Tesla is having problems not only finding new staff, but also losing current employees. Experienced workers leave not only because of low wagesbut also poor management and poor employment conditions.

One of them describes the situation in the factory as total chaos over which no one is in control. Many employees are on sick leave longer than they work, and some staff resign due to lack of motivation.

In turn, a former employee who left after more than a year complains about sudden changes in working conditions. He was initially recruited for a mid-level position, but then received an updated contract with a new position. Without warning, he was transferred to a three-shift system, which made it difficult for him to care for his son.

Local employment specialists believe that it will be difficult for the company to find qualified employees. Due to the conditions offered, the concern is perceived in Germany as an unattractive employer, because pays 20 percent less than the competition for work in similar positions. Therefore, the company hopes that the shortages will be supplemented by foreigners, who currently account for about 10% of the staff in the Berlin factory, a significant part of which are Poles. The company directs more and more offers to our compatriots living near the German border, offering them managerial positions. Earnings are good for Polish conditions, but knowledge of German is a requirement.

The authorities of Polish cities would also like to cooperate with Tesla. Jacek Wjcicki, the mayor of Gorzw Wielkopolski, recently contacted the company, hoping to find a place for apprenticeships for students of the Center for Vocational Education and Business. Representatives of the concern liked this idea very much. On September 1 next year, the first students will visit the Gigafactory in Grnheide, where they will gain practical knowledge. Perhaps they will find employment there in the future as mechanics, engineers and electronics.

Few want to work for Tesla

Tesla tried to remedy the labor shortage by offering more wages to new hires, but the actions backfired. They caused wage stratification, which meant that people who worked longer earned less for the same duties. This also provoked a reaction from trade unions and accusations from the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations. The company was pressured to increase overall pay by 6%, but according to trade unions, wage inequalities have not been leveled out.

Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. Source: Tesla

Last year, Tesla dropped to fifth place on the list of preferred employers for German engineering graduates, behind Mercedes, Porsche and BMW. This year, the company was outside the top five.