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Apple Faces Allegations from NLRB Over Employee Rights Violations
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has raised serious allegations against Apple, claiming the tech giant has violated its employees‘ rights to advocate for improved working conditions. According to a formal complaint reported by Reuters, Apple is accused of unlawfully terminating an employee who utilized Slack to push for changes within the workplace. Additionally, the NLRB contends that another employee was coerced into removing a social media post.
The Background of the Case
This situation traces back to a 2021 grievance lodged by Janneke Parrish, one of the co-organizers of #AppleToo. In October 2021, Parrish was dismissed from her position under allegations of disclosing confidential information—an assertion she firmly disputes. The complaint indicates that Parrish employed Slack and public social media platforms to advocate for permanent remote work options.
Furthermore, she circulated open letters criticizing Apple’s practices, conducted a pay equity survey among employees, and shared personal accounts regarding incidents of sexual and racial discrimination within the company. The labor board highlights that Apple’s internal policies require employees to seek managerial approval before creating any Slack channels; instead, they are directed to communicate their concerns through management or a designated ”People Support” group.
Employee Advocacy on Social Media
An illustration of how some workers have used Slack for voicing their concerns can be found in a tweet from Ashley Gjøvik, a former Apple employee dating back to 2021.
Legal Representation’s Statement
“We anticipate holding Apple accountable during trial proceedings for enforcing blatantly unlawful regulations and terminating staff members who engage in protected activities such as highlighting gender discrimination and other civil rights infringements prevalent in their workplace,” stated Laurie Burgess, Parrish’s attorney in comments made to Reuters.
Apple’s Response
In response to these claims, Apple maintains its stance: “We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and positive work environment. We take all concerns seriously and conduct thorough investigations whenever issues arise; however, we respect individual privacy by not discussing specific employment matters,” said an Apple spokesperson in remarks made to Engadget. “We strongly contest these allegations and will present our case at the upcoming hearing.”
The Path Forward: Upcoming Hearing Details
If no settlement is reached with the NLRB prior to proceedings commencing, an initial hearing is set for February with an administrative judge presiding over the case. The NLRB aims not only for policy changes at Apple but also seeks financial restitution for Parrish due to her termination-related hardships. Recently, additional accusations surfaced against Apple regarding coercive practices compelling employees into signing overly broad confidentiality agreements as well as non-disclosure and non-compete clauses.
Update 7:09 PM ET:Added comment from Apple.
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