After reports surfaced online saying Tesla Inc. is firing hundreds of SolarCity employees at some of its facilities across the U.S., the company responded to 7 Eyewitness News with the following statement:
“Like all companies, Tesla conducts an annual performance review during which a manager and employee discuss the results that were achieved, as well as how those results were achieved, during the performance period. This includes both constructive feedback and recognition of top performers with additional compensation and equity awards, as well as promotions in many cases. As with any company, especially one of over 33,000 employees, performance reviews also occasionally result in employee departures. Tesla is continuing to grow and hire new employees around the world.”
Tesla told reporter Ed Reilly the company is not laying off employees or cutting jobs.
However, the situation does raise questions about what might happen at Tesla's operation in the RiverBend GigaFactory in South Buffalo.
Empire State Development said it reached out to Tesla and was given assurances that there would be "no impact" on Tesla's operation in Buffalo.
This past August, Tesla announced it was starting production of cells for its solar roof tiles in Buffalo and "several hundred workers" were on the job in the 1.2 million-square-foot factory on South Park Avenue.
Tesla declined to give specific job numbers or talk about its plan for future hiring when contacted today. According to Tesla's website, several jobs are currently posted for the Buffalo facility.
Ed Reilly has more in his report.
