Now that my severance has stopped, I feel like I can share some of my experiences working at Tesla, and maybe others can share theirs. From April 2022 to April 2024 I was a full time employee at the Tesla Fremont factory. We worked 12 hour shifts on rotating schedules of 3-4 consecutive days a week. In return, we get the same in days off. I lived an hour away and would take the commuter shuttle when not carpooling.
Sometimes those four 12-hour shifts in a row could get brutal. Working outdoors for most of it, the seasons were harsh. Scorching hot summers since we’re on blacktop all day, one time it got so hot several people passed out across the factory from the heat and we were all sent home early. Cold, dark and wet winters. We used to see snow capping the hills of nearby Mission Peak accumulate over the week, growing colder the day next.
We’d get 15 minute breaks throughout the day, but the break room is a 2 minute walk either way, so really it’s an 11 minute break. This leads many to just stay at their work station the whole break to make the most of their time. Same goes for lunch. 30 minutes. Unless you brought a cold lunch, there was going to be some waiting. A line at the microwaves, a line at the vendors and food trucks, precious time cutting into what should be eating and relaxing. That window of time between lunch and our next break was the longest part of the day for many of us.
And when the day finally ended, there was still the ride back. I’d get home around 9pm, have dinner and maybe watch a show if I have the time, and then just try to go to sleep. This job really fucked up my sleep schedule. But the pay was too good. No matter how early I went to bed, I wouldn’t fall asleep until after 11:30. Most work nights I got maybe 4 hours of sleep, 5 if I’m lucky and less if I’m not. Then it’s waking up at 3:30 to start the day all over again. Catch up on what sleep you can during commute. Make it up on your weekends.