A U.S. labor board has filed a complaint against Apple, accusing the tech giant of infringing on employees' rights to organize and advocate for improved working conditions by enforcing a series of unlawful workplace rules. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced the complaint on Monday, alleging that Apple required employees across the country to sign illegal confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements, as well as imposing overly restrictive misconduct and social media policies.
The complaint specifically accuses Apple of "interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of" their rights under federal labor law. In response, Apple issued a statement through a spokesperson, asserting that it has always respected its employees' rights to discuss wages, hours, and working conditions, a stance reflected in its employment policies. "We strongly disagree with these claims and will continue to share the facts at the hearing," the company said.
If Apple does not settle the case, it will proceed to an administrative hearing in January. The NLRB is seeking to compel Apple to rescind the allegedly unlawful rules and inform its entire U.S. workforce of their legal rights. Decisions by administrative judges can be reviewed by the five-member labor board, whose rulings can be appealed to federal appeals courts.
The complaint stems from charges filed against Apple in 2021 by Ashley Gjovik, a former senior engineering manager. Gjovik claimed that various Apple rules, including those related to confidentiality and social media use, discourage employees from discussing issues such as pay equity and sex discrimination with each other and the media. Gjovik also filed a lawsuit in California federal court in May, accusing Apple of illegally retaliating against her for filing the NLRB complaints and attempting to organize other workers. Apple has denied any wrongdoing and has sought to dismiss the case.
Apple is also facing at least two other ongoing NLRB cases, including one where an employee at its Cupertino, California headquarters was allegedly fired for criticizing managers, and another involving illegal interference with a union campaign at a retail store in Atlanta. The company has denied any wrongdoing in these cases as well. Additionally, the NLRB ruled in May that the manager of an Apple store in Manhattan unlawfully interrogated an employee about his support for a union. Since 2022, two Apple stores in the U.S. have unionized, and unions are actively working to organize several other locations.
