Apple is being accused of monitoring employee’s interactions on Slack and putting unlawful restrictions on conversations.
The US National Labor Relations board has made the allegations against the computing giant after three years of researching a complaint.
A former Apple worker came to the agency claiming that they were fired for using the platform to advocate for workplace changes in a filing that might send potential Apple employees running.
Punished for Advocacy
Janneke Parrish approached the NLRB alleging that Apple fired her in 2021 because she used Slack — and other social media platforms – to talk about aspects of working for the company that she was unhappy about.
Reuters details that she had “advocated for permanent remote work, distributed a pay equity survey, detailed alleged sex and race discrimination at Apple, and posted open letters critical of the company.”
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The complaint also includes an account from another Apple worker that they were forced to take down a social media post and the general allegation that the company enforces unlawful rules around the use of Slack.
The NLRB adds that Apple now has policies in place whereby staff can’t create new Slack channels without permission from managers. Posts about any workplace concerns are not to be posted in existing Slack channels but taken straight to management or a “people’s support” group.
Battle Stage Set
Apple is denying any wrongdoing and told the press that it maintains “a positive and inclusive workplace.”
“We strongly disagree with these claims and will continue to share the facts at the hearing.” – Apple spokesperson
The case will be heard by an administrative judge in February if Apple does not settle with the NLRB. If the judge’s decision goes against Apple, the company can ask for a review before a five-member labor board and then an appeal in a federal court.
Despite the prospect of a potentially lengthy fight, Parrish’s lawyer, Laurie Burgess, told Reuters: “We look forward to holding Apple accountable at trial for implementing facially unlawful rules and terminating employees for engaging in the core protected activity of calling out gender discrimination and other civil rights violations that permeated the workplace.”
