Tesla loses bid to move 'sexual harassment' suit into arbitration

Company is facing separate suits by at least six female employees over alleged sexual harassment

Tesla must keep defending itself in open court against claims that female employees face “rampant sexual harassm­ent” in its largest California factory, a Calif­ornia judge ruled, spurning the company’s requ­est for closed-door arbitration.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Stephen Kaus ruled Monday that the female worker who filed the complaint can proceed in court — even though she signed an arbitration agreement giving up her right to sue. Kaus issued a one-sentence order denying the company’s request without explaining his reasoning.

Tesla has come under fire from shareholder activists who have pushed the electric-vehicle maker’s board, so far without success,