The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that Apple violated United States labor laws with its anti-leak email, as shared by Bloomberg. The company was found to have interfered with, restrained, or coerced its employees from exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act through its established leak rules and statements from high-level executives.
Specifically, the NLRB’s decision references an email sent out by Apple CEO Tim Cook in November 2021, where he threatened to identify those who leaked confidential information and stated that individuals who do so “do not belong” at the company. The email created a chilling effect on employees, limiting their protected right to engage in concerted activity, according to the NLRB.
This ruling serves as a reminder to all companies to ensure their policies and practices align with the National Labor Relations Act and do not infringe on the rights of employees. Apple must now take the necessary steps to come into compliance with the NLRB’s ruling.
Apple is facing settlements with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after being found in violation of United States labor laws with its anti-leak email, according to a recent ruling by the NLRB. The email, sent out by CEO Tim Cook in November 2021, targeted employees who had shared details about a meeting focused on pay equity, working from home, COVID vaccinations, and more. Cook’s statements were found to have violated worker rights and limited their protected right to engage in concerted activity.
This marks the second time in recent years that Apple has faced legal action by the NLRB. Last year, the organization ruled that the company had violated federal law by holding mandatory anti-union meetings and interrogating and coercing employees at its Atlanta and New York store locations.
The NLRB is not able to act on its own to punish companies for violations, but its complaints are reviewed by administrative law judges and can be taken to federal court where policy changes can be enacted. To avoid a complaint, Apple will need to settle with the NLRB and take necessary steps to come into compliance with its ruling. This serves as a reminder to all companies to ensure their policies and practices align with the National Labor Relations Act and do not infringe on the rights of employees.