Ex-employees have accused the tech giant of preventing collective action

Apple’s executives are imposing rules that violate their workers’ rights, according to U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) prosecutors.

“Various work rules, handbook rules, and confidentiality rules” imposed by the Cupertino, CA-based company “tend to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees” from exercising their rights to collective action, said NLRB spokesperson Kayla Blado.

The statement came from NLRB’s investigation into a 2021 charge against the technology giant, claiming that Apple is maintaining work rules that “prohibit employees from discussing wages, hours, or other terms or conditions of employment.”

The case – filed by former employees Ashley Gjovik and Cher Scarlett – alleged that CEO Tim Cook sent an email to workers saying that pledging to punish leakers, as well as a set of policies in Apple’s employee handbook, violated federal law.

Gjovik cited policies restricting staff from disclosing “business information,” talking to reporters, revealing co-workers’ compensation or posting impolite tweets. NLRB “found merit to a charge alleging statements and conduct by Apple – including high-level executives – also violated the National Labor Relations Act,” according to the Bloomberg report.

Speaking up

Just last month, Apple said it is giving workers the freedom to speak up about their concerns in the workplace, promising not to enforce restrictions against workers who speak up.

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