After the scandal claiming that Apple voluntarily stifles union movements in American Apple Stores, a new case affects the Cupertino company. The company is accused of having its employees sign illegal contracts in the United States!
A particularly serious matter
Apple faces serious accusations over its hiring practices in the United States. THE National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)the federal agency in charge of labor relations, filed a complaint against the company this week, accusing it of having imposed employment contracts on its employees deemed illegal. These contracts, signed upon hiring, would be excessively restrictive and include clauses that would infringe the fundamental rights of employees. The NLRB points out that Apple cannot establish its own rules; the company must respect the laws, even if the “culture of secrecy” is important internally.
According to the complaint, Apple forced its employees to sign confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-competition agreements deemed too harsh. These agreements are considered to limit workers’ rights under federal labor law, including their right to express themselves freely about their working conditions or to defend themselves collectively.
The NLRB also accuses Apple of excessively applying internal policies, particularly those concerning social networks, to silence its employees. This action would have prevented employees from speaking out about poor working conditions or reporting inappropriate behavior without fear of reprisals.
A procedure initiated
The NLRB’s proceedings stem from accusations dating back to September 2021. At that time, Ashley Gjovik, a former Apple executive, raised concerns about harassment, bullying and sexism within the company. . She claims she was fired in retaliation for expressing her concerns to people outside of Apple. The incident sparked a wave of investigations into Apple’s human resources practices.
The NLRB is now asking Apple to review its practices and remove rules deemed illegal. It also requires the company to clearly inform its employees of their legal rights through internal communications or meetings. This approach aims to restore employee confidence and guarantee respect for their fundamental rights.
A dispute to be resolved in court
Despite these accusations, Apple does not seem to want to opt for a compromise. The Cupertino firm is preparing to present its arguments at a hearing scheduled for January 2025, the company claims that its employment contracts (reviewed by specialized lawyers) comply with American law. According to Apple, these contracts in no way violate the rights of employees.
