10 months ago
Deaf Tesla Employee Fired After Seeking Accommodation for Heat Issues
Imagine a factory that gets really, really hot, like a giant oven.
A worker named Hans, who is deaf, uses special devices called hearing aids to help him hear things.
But in the super hot part of the factory where metal is melted, his hearing aids stopped working because of the heat.
This meant he couldn't hear important safety alarms.
Hans asked his company, Tesla, if he could work in a cooler place since he had done well in other jobs there.
But instead of finding him a cooler spot, the company fired him.
Now, Hans is suing Tesla because he believes they didn't follow the rules about helping people with disabilities.
He says they should have let him work in a different, cooler job where he could be safe and hear alarms.
Deaf Tesla employee Hans Kohls is suing the company for wrongful termination.
Kohls alleges his hearing aids malfunctioned in the extreme heat of the casting department, preventing him from hearing safety alarms.
He requested a reasonable accommodation under the ADA to work in a cooler environment or a different vacant position.
Kohls claims Tesla fired him within nine days instead of complying with the ADA and failed to discuss reassignment options.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, back pay, lost wages, and other damages for alleged violations of ADA and Texas labor code.
- Who
- Deaf Tesla employee Hans Kohls and Tesla
- What
- Kohls filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination after his accommodation request related to heat sensitivity was denied.
- Where
- Tesla's Texas Gigafactory
- When
- Mid-June 2024 (accommodation request), shortly thereafter (termination)
- Why
- Kohls claims Tesla violated the ADA and Texas labor code by firing him instead of reassigning him to a suitable vacant position when extreme heat affected his hearing aids and safety.
Employee's Claim
Tesla's Alleged Actions
Reasonable Accommodation
Employee's Claim
Hans Kohls requested a reasonable accommodation under the ADA due to his hearing aids malfunctioning in high heat, a basic request.
Tesla's Alleged Actions
Tesla allegedly fired Kohls instead of accommodating him, classifying his separation as 'medically separated'.
Job Reassignment
Employee's Claim
Kohls demonstrated success in other departments (Vehicle Validation, Drive Unit) and was qualified for reassignment to a vacant position.
Tesla's Alleged Actions
The lawsuit claims Tesla lied about available positions and failed to discuss reassignment options with Kohls, despite his prior success in other roles.
Workplace Safety
Employee's Claim
High temperatures in the casting department (exceeding 660C) caused Kohls' hearing aids to malfunction, preventing him from hearing safety alarms.
Tesla's Alleged Actions
Kohls was allegedly not informed about the extreme heat conditions in the casting department.
Key facts
- Employee Name
- Hans Kohls
- Company
- Tesla
- Location
- Texas Gigafactory
- Reason for Complaint
- High temperatures causing hearing aid malfunction, leading to inability to hear safety alarms.
- Alleged Violation
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Texas state labor code
- Employee's Program Success
- Earned 95.7% in Tesla START program (Robotics & Manufacturing)
- Damages Sought
- Reinstatement, front pay, back pay, lost wages, benefits, retirement contributions, stock options, compensatory and punitive damages.
Quotes
Andrew Rozynski
Hans Kohls' attorney
“Tesla had a highly qualified employee who requested the most basic accommodation under the ADA, reassignment to a vacant position where he'd already demonstrated success. Instead of complying with the law, they fired him within nine days and told him he was being 'medically separated.'”
NDTV
Tesla
Defendant in the lawsuit
“Tesla never discussed with Mr. Kohls what positions were available or why reassignment was not feasible. Tesla failed to inquire whether Kohls could perform in other departments - despite his documented success in Vehicle Validation and Drive Unit.”
NDTV
