Employee theft of office supplies is not unusual, but Tesla’s factory in Germany is facing a significant issue—the theft of about 65,000 coffee mugs.
Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg plant manager, Andre Thierig, addressed this issue during a staff meeting with some of the facility’s 12,000 employees. Amid other concerns about worker safety and pay, Thierig highlighted the large number of missing coffee mugs, based on a recording obtained by Handelsblatt.
“We’ve bought 65,000 coffee mugs since we started production here,” Thierig said. “Statistically speaking, each of you already has five Ikea coffee cups at home.”
Expressing his frustration, Thierig warned that cutlery might be removed from the break room if the thefts continued. Despite the serious message, employees responded with applause and laughter, according to DW reports.
However, the coffee mug thefts are just one of Tesla’s challenges in Germany. The company has faced protests from climate groups over its expansion plans, which involve clearing forest space. Although local officials approved Tesla’s plans, the project has experienced delays.
As part of CEO Elon Musk’s cost-cutting measures, Tesla laid off around 400 workers at the German plant in April, reported Reuters. Globally, the company has laid off at least 14,000 employees.
Additionally, the German plant has faced accusations of violating environmental laws, health regulations, and worker safety protections since it began operations two years ago. Stern reported that Tesla’s plant experienced three times more emergencies than Audi’s Ingolstadt plant.
In response to media reports, Thierig emphasized on LinkedIn that the focus remains on caring for their employees, who he described as the most valuable asset of the Gigafactory. He announced the completion of a new employee facility and celebrated the pre-opening of the “Giga Gym.”