(VOR News) – Apple was accused of violating the rights of workers to collectively campaign for improved working conditions by the National Labor Relations Board of the United States of America in a statement released on Friday.
The board imposed restrictions on the use of social media and the workplace messaging tool Slack. The statement was released in response to Apple’s decision to limit the access of employees to these tools.
The iPhone manufacturer is accused of creating the impression that employees were being monitored via social media, illegally firing an employee who advocated for workplace changes on Slack, requiring another worker to delete a social media post, and maintaining unlawful work rules regarding the acceptable uses of Slack, according to the complaint that was submitted to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Thursday. The complaint contained each of these allegations.
The National Labor Relations Board filed a second complaint against Apple last month.
The government agency filed claims against the firm last week. The agency alleged that the corporation had imposed regulations that were excessively broad in scope with respect to social media and misconduct.
Additionally, the agency claimed that the corporation had requested that employees throughout the country sign unlawful agreements regarding confidentiality, noncompete, and nondisclosure.
A spokeswoman for Apple issued a statement on Friday, stating that the company is dedicated to the preservation of a “positive and inclusive workplace” and that it takes employee complaints seriously. Apple issued the statement.
The company issued a statement in which it said, “We strongly disagree with these claims and will continue to share the facts throughout the course of the hearing.”
Apple responded to the complaint that was submitted the previous week by issuing a statement that asserted the company’s commitment to the rights of its employees to participate in discussions regarding their salary, hours, and working conditions. The company also stated that it does not practice any form of malfeasance.
In the event that Apple is unable to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an administrative judge will conduct an initial hearing on the matter in February.
The labor board, which is composed of five members, has the authority to issue judgments that may be appealed to the federal court. The labor authority has the capacity to evaluate the judge’s decision.
Janneke Parrish submitted a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) more than three years ago, and this complaint serves as the foundation for the current case.
Apple fired her for her role in 2021 employee dissatisfaction, she claims.
Parrish utilized Slack and other public social media platforms to advocate for permanent remote employment, disseminate a pay equity survey, chronicle alleged instances of racial and sexual discrimination at Apple, and compose open letters that were critical of the company, as per the most recent lawsuit. In addition, Parrish conducted a survey on wage equity.
During the COVID-19 outbreak several years ago, Apple implemented Slack, a tool that enables employees to engage in group discussions. As a discussion forum, it quickly gained popularity and was extensively utilized by staff.
According to the complaint submitted to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Apple has a policy that prohibits employees from establishing new Slack channels without first obtaining permission from their managers. All posts that pertain to potential workplace challenges must be directed to either a manager or a “People Support” group. This is consistent with the complaint.
Laurie Burgess, the attorney who is representing Parrish, issued an email statement on Friday. Apple had engaged in “extensive violations” of workers’ rights, she asserted in the statement.
“We anticipate holding Apple accountable in court for enforcing blatantly unlawful policies and dismissing employees for participating in the fundamental protected activity of exposing gender discrimination and other civil rights infringements that pervade the workplace,” Burgess stated regarding the allegations.
Parrish is pursuing compensation for the financial losses and other damages that resulted from her termination. Furthermore, the complaint is requesting an order that would compel Apple to cease its purportedly unlawful practices. Parrish is in pursuit of both of these items.
SOURCE: DN
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