Tesla has announced that it will be cutting more than 10% of its workforce, leading to layoffs at the company’s Buffalo, New York facility. The site in Buffalo is used for training Tesla’s driver-assist software and energy storage products.
The site in Buffalo accounts for about 14% of Tesla’s workforce, and a regulatory filing reveals that the company laid off 280 workers at the location. This move by Tesla may mitigate any potential penalties for violating the WARN Act, which requires companies with more than 100 employees to provide 60 days notice before large-scale layoffs.
The layoffs have affected not only workers at the Buffalo facility but also those across the country and some staff at Tesla’s international offices, including factories in California and Texas. The Buffalo facility is crucial for Tesla’s data analysis and training for its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving software, as well as the production of solar panels, EV charging, and energy storage components.
Severance packages are being offered to some of the workers who were laid off, with reports of packages equal to two months pay being given to some employees. A spokesperson for Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation. If you work for Tesla or have any tips, contact the reporter at gkay@businessinsider.com via a non-work email and device.