https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tesla-loses-bid-move-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-arbitration-2022-05-24/ Skip to main content Skip to floating mini video * World * Business * Legal * Markets * Breakingviews * Technology * Investigations * More My View Register May 24, 20226:52 PM UTCLast Updated ago * United States Tesla loses bid to move sexual harassment lawsuit to arbitration By Daniel Wiessner * * * * * 2 minute read Tesla's primary vehicle factory reopens in Fremont The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a dealership in London Tesla's primary vehicle factory reopens in Fremont 1/2 File Photo: The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a dealership in London, Britain. REUTERS/Matthew Childs Read More Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register May 24 (Reuters) - A California state judge has rejected Tesla Inc's (TSLA.O) bid to send a lawsuit alleging widespread sexual harassment at the company's flagship assembly plant to private arbitration, allowing it to move forward in court. California Superior Court Judge Stephen Kaus in Oakland denied Tesla's motion to compel arbitration in a brief order on Monday. In a written opinion released on Tuesday, Kaus said Tesla had improperly pressured the plaintiff, Jessica Barraza, to sign an arbitration agreement after she had already quit her previous job. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register "Basically, Barraza was ambushed," the judge wrote. Barraza in the lawsuit filed in November claims workers and supervisors at the Fremont, California plant routinely made lewd comments and gestures to female employees, and that the company failed to address complaints. The lawsuit is one of at least seven pending in California state court to make similar claims against Tesla. Kaus is presiding over five more of those cases. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. David Lowe, a lawyer for Barraza, called the decision "a victory for public accountability." "Because of this ruling... Tesla will be judged by a jury of Ms. Barraza's peers in a public courtroom," Lowe said in a statement. Along with the pending sexual harassment claims, Tesla is facing separate lawsuits accusing it of tolerating widespread race discrimination at its plants. A California judge last month awarded $15 million to a Black former factory worker who said he was subjected to racist slurs and graffiti from coworkers. read more Tesla has said it does not tolerate harassment and has disciplined and fired workers who engaged in misconduct. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Sustainable Switch Subscribe to our sustainability newsletter to make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments. Sign up Daily Briefing Subscribe to our newsletter to get all the news you need to start your day. Sign up United States * Biden to issue policing order on George Floyd death anniversary -media reports, article with imageUnited States * May 24, 2022 * 8:35 PM UTC President Joe Biden is set to issue an executive order on Wednesday directing federal agencies to revise use-of-force policies as the United States marks the two-year anniversary of the police killing of George Floyd, the Washington Post and other U.S. media reported. * United StatesFDA to allow release of 300,000 cans of Abbott's EleCare infant formula, article with image9:36 PM UTC * United StatesU.S. FTC launches inquiry into infant formula crisis , article with image7:38 PM UTC * United StatesU.S. FTC launches inquiry into infant formula shortage, article with image8:19 PM UTC * United StatesBiden's public approval falls to 36%, lowest of his presidency -Reuters/Ipsos, article with image10:47 PM UTC . Updated undefined ago Site Index Browse * World * Business * Legal * Markets * Breakingviews * Technology * Investigations * Lifestyle About Reuters * About Reuters * Careers * Reuters News Agency * Brand Attribution Guidelines * Reuters Leadership * Reuters Fact Check * Reuters Diversity Report Stay Informed * Download the App * Newsletters Information you can trust Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world's largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Follow Us * * * * * Thomson Reuters Products * Westlaw Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. * Onesource The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. * Checkpoint The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Refinitiv Products * Refinitiv Workspace Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. * Refinitiv Data Catalogue Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. * Refinitiv World-Check Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. * Advertise With Us * Advertising Guidelines * Cookies * Terms of Use * Privacy * Digital Accessibility * Corrections * Site Feedback All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. (c) 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved