In a video broadcast to Apple employees last week, Apple’s retail and people chief Deirdre O’Brien attempted to address the concerns being raised by a growing number of Apple employees about various workplace issues.
Over the last few weeks, some Apple employees have taken to Twitter sharing their frustrations about their workspace. The movement has become known as the “AppleToo” movement. The initiative, sparked by a group of Apple employees, is pushing Apple to “fulfill its promise of inclusion, diversity, and equity.”
MacRumors reports that in the video, 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.
Some employees say O’Brien’s suggestion to consult a manager has not worked for some. “The system is not working… it’s set up to work against you from the beginning,” an anonymous employee told MacRumors.
That employee claims workers are often told by their managers that their pay is “within range” for their field, not actually explaining why their salary might not be equal to another employee.
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.”
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.
The AppleToo movement continues to collect stories from Apple employees, sharing their experiences on Twitter.