Apple Accused Of Enforcing Illegal Workplace Rules Onto Employees

Photo 39657181 © Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com

Post-iPhone 16 event, Apple’s shine is looking a bit matte as the tech giant finds itself on the opposite side of the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which has filed a complaint against the tech giant over workplace policies that supposedly violate federal labor laws.

The complaint, announced Monday and seen by Reuters, accuses the company of enforcing illegal rules that restrict employees’ ability to discuss working conditions, including confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements.

According to the NLRB, Apple’s policies surrounding misconduct and social media are too broad, infringing on workers’ rights to organize and talk openly about workplace issues. These allegations trace back to charges filed by Ashley Gjovik, a former senior engineering manager at Apple.

Gjovik claims the company’s rules discouraged staff from discussing key issues such as pay equity and discrimination. She has also filed a separate lawsuit in California federal court, accusing Apple of retaliating against her after she attempted to organize workers and raised concerns with the NLRB.

Apple has pushed back on these accusations, asserting that it respects its employees’ rights to discuss wages and working conditions. The company plans to contest the NLRB’s claims at a hearing set for January, but if a settlement isn’t reached, the NLRB is seeking to force Apple to revise its workplace policies and notify all US employees of their rights.

[via Reuters, Benzinga, AppleInsider, cover photo 39657181 © Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com]