Washington: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Apple of attempting to stifle employees from discussing pay equity issues, along with allegations that the company forced an engineer to resign after she circulated a wage survey. This complaint, issued by the NLRB General Counsel on Thursday, represents the third such claim against Apple within a month, alleging that the tech giant has engaged in illegal practices to discourage workers from addressing critical matters like gender bias and pay discrimination—both among themselves and in the media. These actions reportedly include restrictions on the use of social media and workplace communication tools such as Slack.
The new complaint specifically alleges that Apple blocked employees from creating a dedicated Slack channel for discussing pay equity and discussing a policy related to financial incentives tied to sales targets. Moreover, the complaint highlights an incident in 2021 in which Apple compelled engineer Cher Scarlett to resign following her launch of an online survey that allowed colleagues to anonymously share details about their salaries, job levels, years of experience, and demographic information.
In a statement, Apple firmly rejected these claims, asserting, “We strongly disagree with these claims and will continue to share the facts at the hearing.” The company has previously emphasized its commitment to fostering “a positive and inclusive workplace” and has stated that it takes employee concerns seriously.
Laurie Burgess, Scarlett’s attorney, expressed optimism regarding the NLRB’s complaint, stating, “We are delighted to see the NLRB issue a complaint against Apple and look forward to holding it accountable at trial for its extensive violations of workers’ labor rights.” This sentiment underscores the broader implications for corporate accountability in labor practices.
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If no settlement is reached, an administrative law judge is slated to hold an initial hearing in June. The judge’s ruling can be reviewed by the five-member board, whose decisions are subject to appeal in federal courts. The complaint seeks to compel Apple to reinstate Scarlett, provide back pay, and compensate her for other financial damages stemming from her alleged constructive discharge. Furthermore, the general counsel is advocating for mandatory training on workers’ labor rights for Apple employees.
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In addition to the current complaints, Apple is facing at least two other pending NLRB cases, which include allegations that the company terminated an employee at its Cupertino headquarters for criticizing management and unlawfully interfered with a union campaign at a retail store in Atlanta. Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing in these matters.
