In a video broadcasted to staffers days before Labor Day, Apple's retail and people chief Deirdre O'Brien addressed the growing number of Apple employees voicing their opinions about workplace issues like pay inequality.
For those unaware, over the last few weeks, some Apple employees have taken to Twitter to share their workplace frustrations, sparking the "AppleToo" movement. Created by a group of employees, the "Apple Too" initiative is pushing for Apple to "fulfill its promise of inclusion, diversity, and equity," as the website states.
In the video, which was seen by MacRumors, Deirdre O'Brien tells staff who are experiencing workplace issues to talk to their managers and "business relations partner." She says that Apple has a "confidential process to thoroughly investigate, in a way that treats everyone with dignity and respect."
Now, I want you to hear this directly from me. First, if you ever have a concern about your pay at Apple, please talk to your manager or your people business partner. And second, if you ever want to report a concern about your work environment, please come and talk to us, please. And know that we have a confidential process to thoroughly investigate in a way that treats everyone with dignity and respect.
According to employees, O'Brien's suggestion to consult a manager has not worked for some employees. "The system is not working... it's set up to work against you from the beginning," one employee told MacRumors, requesting to stay anonymous.
That employee said that workers are often told by their managers that their pay is "within range" for their field, leading to ambiguity about why their salary might not be on par with another employee. The person also said that escalating complaints to Apple's people team can lead to manager retaliation.
In the video, O'Brien doesn't mention "AppleToo" by name, but she notes that she is aware of a "few" employees that "have asked questions about pay equity." The executive says that Apple is "deeply committed" to pay equity and uses industry-wide standards to reach it.
We use industry-standard methodology, and we have a dedicated team of experts that runs a comprehensive process to monitor and maintain pay equity. And we partner with an independent third party that analyzes our compensation each year. If this work identifies a gap, we close it. And our approach is considered best in class.
O'Brien said that based on data from the United States, Apple has already "achieved pay equity," but she says that it is still an "ongoing effort."
As of when this article was published, the AppleToo movement is still collecting stories from Apple employees and sharing their experiences on Twitter. We've contacted Apple for comment and will update if we hear back.
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