Apple Accused of Pay Inequity, Monitoring Employees' Personal Devices
An employee of Apple Inc. is suing the tech giant for allegedly engaging in unlawful monitoring of its workers' personal communication devices and accounts. Amar Bhakta, an Apple Inc. employee since 2020, claims that the company mandates employees use iPhones and iCloud accounts for work, which are also linked to personal and family devices.
Apple, Inc. can access information from those devices via the installed software, granting the company access to a plethora of employees' personal information, such as emails, photos, videos, health information, and smart home settings.
Privacy Concerns
The lawsuit raises questions about employee privacy and how far an employer can go to protect itself or increase worker efficiency. For example, some companies may use monitoring software to ensure employees do not share company trade secrets. However, there are both state and federal requirements to do so even on work devices.
The complaint alleges that Apple violates several California labor laws and the state Constitution by requiring workers to sign employment contracts that give Apple valuable, private, non-work personal information and control over their employees' non-work lives. For example, Bhakta claims that one Apple policy allows the company to monitor employees, including by video and electronic surveillance, at their home offices.
Free Speech on Public Platforms
The complaint alleges that Apple Inc. does more than spy on its employees. It seeks to control employees' ability to communicate on public platforms, particularly about their working conditions. Bhakta says he was told not to share details about his job on public platforms, including LinkedIn and podcasts. He argues that this violates California labor law, which does not allow California employers to prohibit employees from disclosing wages.
Apple Inc. Strikes Back
Apple responded in a statement that Bhakta's claim had no merit and that the company is committed to training their employees about their privacy rights, including the right to speak up about their working conditions. Apple says it promotes transparency within the company.
Multiple Complaints Including Over Systemic Pay Inequities
Unfortunately for Apple, this lawsuit is not an isolated event. The National Labor Relations Board has also accused Apple of taking measures to discourage employees from discussing employment conditions, such as gender bias and wage disparities.
In a separate case, the attorneys representing Bhakta also represent two female employees who accuse Apple Inc. of systemic and blatant pay inequity within the company's engineering, marketing, and customer service departments.
Apple Inc. insists that the company promotes inclusivity and fair compensation for men and women.
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