Apple is under fire for its workplace policies, as the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently accused the tech giant of suppressing employees’ rights to organize and speak up about working conditions.
The complaint, issued on Thursday, alleges that Apple imposed unlawful rules governing the use of internal communication platforms like Slack and restricted employees’ social media activity, sparking concerns over transparency and employee treatment, Reuters news report said.
The NLRB’s complaint details several troubling practices, including the firing of an employee who had used Salesforce-owned Slack to advocate for workplace changes, requiring another employee to remove a social media post, and fostering an environment where workers felt they were being monitored online.
According to the agency, Apple’s policies violate labor laws that protect employees’ right to collective action and freedom of expression regarding workplace conditions.
This marks the second time this month that the NLRB has raised concerns about Apple’s labor practices. Earlier in October, the agency accused the iPhone maker of forcing workers across the U.S. to sign illegal confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements, alongside implementing overly broad social media and conduct rules.
Apple, through a company spokesperson, denied the allegations and asserted its commitment to fostering an “inclusive workplace” while respecting employee complaints. The company also vowed to contest the claims at an upcoming hearing.
The case stems from a complaint filed nearly three years ago by Janneke Parrish, a former employee who was allegedly fired for leading activism efforts advocating for permanent remote work, addressing pay equity concerns, and highlighting discrimination at Apple. Janneke Parrish’s legal representation claims that Apple’s termination of employees who voiced concerns about workplace discrimination reflects a pattern of “extensive violations” of workers’ rights.
As the legal proceedings unfold, labor rights advocates are closely watching to see how Apple responds to the NLRB’s demands to roll back its controversial policies and provide compensation to affected employees. If no settlement is reached, an administrative hearing is scheduled for February 2025, with potential consequences that could impact Apple’s workplace regulations and broader tech industry labor practices.
