The U.S. labor board has filed a complaint against Apple (AAPL.O), alleging that the company has infringed upon employees’ rights to organize and advocate for improved working conditions by enforcing a range of unlawful workplace regulations.
On Monday, the National Labor Relations Board unveiled a complaint alleging that Apple mandated employees nationwide to sign unlawful confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements. The complaint also asserts that the company enforced comprehensive misconduct and social media use policies.
Apple is facing allegations of “interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of” their rights as outlined by federal labor law.
In a recent statement, an Apple spokesperson emphasized the company’s longstanding commitment to respecting employees’ rights to discuss wages, hours, and working conditions, a principle clearly outlined in its employment policies.
“The company stated, ‘We strongly disagree with these claims and will continue to share the facts at the hearing.'”
If Apple fails to reach a settlement, the case will be heard by an administrative judge starting in January. The agency aims to compel Apple to revoke what it claims are unlawful regulations and to inform its entire U.S. workforce about their legal rights.
The five-member labor board has the authority to review decisions made by administrative judges, and its rulings are subject to appeal in federal appeals courts.
The allegations originated from a lawsuit initiated in 2021 by Ashley Gjovik, who previously held the position of senior engineering manager at Apple. Gjovik highlighted that several Apple policies, particularly those concerning confidentiality and social media engagement, discourage employees from openly discussing pay equity and sex discrimination among themselves and the press.
In May, Gjovik initiated legal action in a federal court in California, alleging that Apple engaged in unlawful retaliation against her for submitting complaints to the NLRB and her efforts to organize fellow employees. Apple has refuted these claims. On Tuesday, a judge dismissed most of Gjovik’s lawsuit but allowed her to revise specific claims.
The company is currently contending with at least two pending cases before the National Labor Relations Board. These cases allege that the company terminated an employee at its Cupertino, California, headquarters for voicing criticism of management and unlawfully interfered with a union campaign at a retail location in Atlanta. The company has refuted allegations of misconduct.
In a significant ruling in May, the National Labor Relations Board determined that the manager of an Apple store in Manhattan unlawfully interrogated an employee regarding his union support. Since 2022, two Apple stores in the United States have successfully unionized, and efforts are underway to organize additional locations across the country.
