U.S. labor board lodges complaint against Apple regarding employee rights
On Monday evening, a U.S. labor board filed a complaint against Apple, alleging that the company has violated federal labor laws by implementing a range of illegal workplace policies that obstruct employees' rights to organize and push for improved working conditions.
TroibNews 
A complaint was issued by a U.S. labor board late Monday, accusing Apple of breaching federal labor laws by enforcing a series of workplace policies that infringe upon employees' rights to organize and advocate for improved working conditions.
The National Labor Relations Board filed the complaint, alleging that Apple mandates employees nationwide to sign unlawful confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements. Additionally, the complaint claims that Apple’s policies regarding misconduct and social media are excessively broad, leading to the company "interfering with, restraining and coercing employees" as they exercise their rights under federal labor law.
In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for Apple stated that the company respects its employees' rights to discuss wages, work hours, and working conditions. Apple firmly disagreed with the accusations and emphasized its intention to present factual information during the hearing.
Should a resolution not be achieved, an administrative judge is set to hear the case in January. The NLRB is aiming to compel Apple to withdraw the contested policies and notify its U.S. workforce of their legal rights. Rulings made by an administrative judge may be reviewed by the full NLRB board, and decisions can be appealed in federal courts.
The origins of this complaint date back to 2021 when Ashley Gjovik, a former senior engineering manager at Apple, lodged charges against the company. She alleged that Apple's confidentiality and social media policies discouraged employees from discussing workplace issues, including pay equity and sexual discrimination.
In May, Gjovik also initiated legal action by filing a lawsuit in a California federal court, claiming that Apple retaliated against her for her NLRB complaints and for organizing fellow workers. While a judge recently dismissed much of her lawsuit, she was allowed to amend certain claims.
Currently, Apple is also facing additional NLRB complaints. Two other pending cases involve allegations that the company unlawfully terminated an employee at its Cupertino headquarters for criticizing management and interfered with a unionization effort at a retail store in Atlanta. Apple has denied any wrongdoing in these matters.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
The National Labor Relations Board filed the complaint, alleging that Apple mandates employees nationwide to sign unlawful confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements. Additionally, the complaint claims that Apple’s policies regarding misconduct and social media are excessively broad, leading to the company "interfering with, restraining and coercing employees" as they exercise their rights under federal labor law.
In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for Apple stated that the company respects its employees' rights to discuss wages, work hours, and working conditions. Apple firmly disagreed with the accusations and emphasized its intention to present factual information during the hearing.
Should a resolution not be achieved, an administrative judge is set to hear the case in January. The NLRB is aiming to compel Apple to withdraw the contested policies and notify its U.S. workforce of their legal rights. Rulings made by an administrative judge may be reviewed by the full NLRB board, and decisions can be appealed in federal courts.
The origins of this complaint date back to 2021 when Ashley Gjovik, a former senior engineering manager at Apple, lodged charges against the company. She alleged that Apple's confidentiality and social media policies discouraged employees from discussing workplace issues, including pay equity and sexual discrimination.
In May, Gjovik also initiated legal action by filing a lawsuit in a California federal court, claiming that Apple retaliated against her for her NLRB complaints and for organizing fellow workers. While a judge recently dismissed much of her lawsuit, she was allowed to amend certain claims.
Currently, Apple is also facing additional NLRB complaints. Two other pending cases involve allegations that the company unlawfully terminated an employee at its Cupertino headquarters for criticizing management and interfered with a unionization effort at a retail store in Atlanta. Apple has denied any wrongdoing in these matters.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
