NLRB accuses Apple of illegally limiting worker Slack and social media use

The Nationwide Labor Relations Board has accused Apple of infringing on its staff’ rights to advocate for higher working circumstances. In a complaint noticed by Reuters, the company alleges Apple illegally fired an worker who had used Slack to advocate for office adjustments on the firm. Individually, the NLRB accuses Apple of forcing one other employee to delete a social media publish.

The case stems from a 2021 grievance filed by #AppleToo co-organizer Janneke Parrish. In October of that 12 months, Apple fired Parrish for allegedly sharing confidential info, a claim she denies. Per the grievance, Parrish used Slack and public social media posts to advocate for everlasting distant work.

She additionally shared open letters essential of the tech big, distributed a pay fairness survey, and recounted situations of sexual and racial discrimination at Apple. Based on the labor board, Apple’s insurance policies bars staff from creating Slack channels with out first acquiring permission from a supervisor. As a substitute, employees should direct their office issues to both administration or a “Individuals Assist” group the corporate maintains. An instance of the kind of issues some staff used Slack to voice might be seen in a 2021 tweet from former Apple employee 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, advised Reuters.

Apple disputes Parrish’s claims. “We’re and have all the time been deeply dedicated to creating and sustaining a optimistic and inclusive office. We take all issues severely and we totally examine every time 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 advised 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 choose. The NLRB is seeking to power the corporate to alter 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 confidentially, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements.

Replace 7:09PM ET: Added remark from Apple.