International Courant
The Nationwide Labor Relations Board has accused Apple of infringing on its staff’ rights to advocate for higher working circumstances. In a criticism noticed by Reuters, the company alleges Apple illegally fired an worker who had used Slack to advocate for office modifications on the firm. Individually, the NLRB accuses Apple of forcing one other worker to delete a social media submit.
The case stems from a 2021 criticism filed by #AppleToo co-organizer Janneke Parrish. In October of that 12 months, Apple fired Parrish for allegedly sharing confidential info, a declare she denies. For the criticism, Parrish used Slack and public social media posts to advocate for everlasting distant work.
She additionally shared open letters crucial of the tech large, distributed a pay fairness survey, and recounted situations of sexual and racial discrimination at Apple. In keeping with the labor board, Apple’s insurance policies bar staff from creating Slack channels with out first acquiring permission from a supervisor. As an alternative, staff should direct their office issues to both administration or a “Folks Assist” group the corporate maintains. An instance of the kind of issues some staff used Slack to voice will be seen in a 2021 tweet from former Apple worker Ashley Gjøvik.
“We sit up for holding Apple accountable at trial for implementing facially illegal guidelines and terminating staff for partaking within the core protected exercise of calling out gender discrimination and different civil rights violations that permeated the office,” Parrish’s lawyer, Laurie Burgess, instructed Reuters.
Apple disputes Parrish’s claims. “We’re and have at all times been deeply dedicated to creating and sustaining a optimistic and inclusive office. We take all issues significantly and we totally examine at any time when a priority is raised and, out of respect for the privateness of any people concerned, we don’t focus on particular worker issues,” an Apple spokesperson instructed Engadget. “We strongly disagree with these claims and can proceed to share the info on the listening to.”
Offered Apple doesn’t settle with the company, an preliminary listening to is scheduled for February with an administrative decide. The NLRB is seeking to pressure the corporate to vary its coverage and reimburse Parrish for the monetary hardships she suffered on account of her firing. Final week, the NLRB accused Apple of forcing staff to signal unlawful and overly broad confidential, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements.
Replace 7:09PM ET: Added remark from Apple.
