The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is intensifying its scrutiny of Apple. The agency has accused the tech company of preventing employees from openly discussing pay equity and other workplace issues. According to a complaint filed on November 1, 2024, Apple allegedly restricted conversations about wages, performance incentives, and sex bias. This complaint marks the third accusation against Apple within a month, raising serious concerns about the company’s labor practices.
Allegations of Employee Suppression
The complaint claims Apple stopped employees from creating a Slack channel focused on pay discussions. Additionally, it accuses the company of limiting social media use for related topics. Furthermore, Apple allegedly forced engineer Cher Scarlett to leave in 2021. Scarlett had organized an anonymous survey for colleagues to share wage and demographic data. Consequently, the NLRB states that Apple pressured her until she resigned.
Laurie Burgess, Scarlett’s attorney, expressed her satisfaction with the NLRB’s action. “We look forward to holding Apple accountable,” she said. If Apple loses the case, it may have to reinstate Scarlett, compensate her, and train managers on labor rights.
Apple Denies the Claims
However, Apple has denied the accusations, insisting that it supports an inclusive and positive workplace. “We strongly disagree with these claims,” said an Apple spokesperson. “We will continue to share our side of the story at the hearing.” Notably, this is not the first time Apple has faced such allegations. For example, the company has been accused of forcing workers to sign restrictive contracts and using anti-union tactics.
Worker Rights in the Spotlight
The NLRB’s actions highlight growing concerns about worker rights in the tech industry. As more employees demand transparency and better conditions, Apple’s labor practices are coming under greater scrutiny. Though only two of Apple’s 274 U.S. stores have unionized, unionization efforts at other locations have reportedly faced strong pushback.
A hearing is set for June 2025, where an administrative law judge will review the case. If the judge rules against Apple, the decision could be appealed, potentially extending the legal process. Until then, Apple’s labor practices will continue to attract widespread attention, influencing its image in the tech world.
