Arbitrator awards almost $2.5 million to HPL client in retaliation case against Tesla

On June 24, 2026, Arbitrator Wayne Brazil awarded $2,439,049.09 to our client Abdul Aryobi in his case against Tesla, Inc. The claims in this case included retaliation under the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”) and discrimination under the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), among others.

Arbitrator Brazil rejected almost all of Tesla’s arguments, credited our client’s testimony, and found that our client’s supervisor, Manuel Andrade, had not been truthful in his testimony. Arbitrator Brazil also found that Tesla’s HR Department’s investigation into our client’s conduct by Senior HR Partner Ifrah Ansari was deeply flawed. (The exact words were “superficial and anemic.”)

The Arbitrator’s award is a complete vindication of Mr. Aryobi, who, prior to the events in question, was a loyal and high-performing Tesla employee. It is sad that a company as wealthy as Tesla would treat its employees in this manner. HPL is proud to represent Mr. Aryobi and looks forward to many more retaliation and discrimination cases against Tesla.