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From their press release: "We also want to thank all of our customers who volunteered to help us with deliveries, and our new customers who are showing their f

From their press release: "We also want to thank all of our customers who volunteered to help us with deliveries, and our new customers who are showing their faith in Tesla by purchasing our products in such large numbers." Isn't it illegal for a for-profit company like Tesla to make use of "volunteers"/unpaid labor? There are only narrow exceptions e.g. interns for school credit. https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/whd/flsa/docs/volunteers.asp https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/whd/flsa/docs/volunteers.asp https://www.nomoreunpaidlabor.com https://www.nomoreunpaidlabor.com

vinceguidry 8y ago
I suspect Tesla is referring to customers driving out to pick up their Tesla from the factory or distribution center rather than waiting for Tesla to ship it to them. Something likely encouraged by long wait times.
- bewaretheirs 8y ago
  Nope. Sounds like volunteers did new-customer orientation: http://www.thedrive.com/news/23779/tesla-accepts-volunteers-as-model-3-deliveries-ramp-up http://www.thedrive.com/news/23779/tesla-accepts-volunteers-... Sounds like a face-to-face version of the unpaid peer-to-peer "support" you get in some product support forums.
rando444 8y ago
Current Tesla owners volunteered their time to help new customers take delivery and get familiar with their new vehicles over the course of a single weekend. I think you're going to have a hard time getting any of the people involved to try and fight to be classified as "employees"
Raphmedia 8y ago
They are talking about the Tesla fan groups that have meetings, do test drives, demos, etc. It's no different from say, Hot Rod culture or Harley culture.
jccooper 8y ago
FLSA prohibits employees volunteering at their employer, to avoid that becoming "volunteering". Customers showing up to help other customers is not really contemplated by the law, and is probably just part of the "brand experience".

vinceguidry 8y ago

I suspect Tesla is referring to customers driving out to pick up their Tesla from the factory or distribution center rather than waiting for Tesla to ship it to them. Something likely encouraged by long wait times.

bewaretheirs 8y ago
Nope. Sounds like volunteers did new-customer orientation: http://www.thedrive.com/news/23779/tesla-accepts-volunteers-as-model-3-deliveries-ramp-up http://www.thedrive.com/news/23779/tesla-accepts-volunteers-... Sounds like a face-to-face version of the unpaid peer-to-peer "support" you get in some product support forums.

rando444 8y ago

Current Tesla owners volunteered their time to help new customers take delivery and get familiar with their new vehicles over the course of a single weekend. I think you're going to have a hard time getting any of the people involved to try and fight to be classified as "employees"

Raphmedia 8y ago

They are talking about the Tesla fan groups that have meetings, do test drives, demos, etc. It's no different from say, Hot Rod culture or Harley culture.

jccooper 8y ago

FLSA prohibits employees volunteering at their employer, to avoid that becoming "volunteering". Customers showing up to help other customers is not really contemplated by the law, and is probably just part of the "brand experience".