Allegations of Gender Pay Disparity at Apple. Apple finds itself embroiled in a legal battle as it faces accusations of gender pay discrimination, specifically concerning over 12,000 female employees in California. Filed by two longstanding Apple employees in a state court in San Francisco, the lawsuit alleges a systematic underpayment of female workers across various divisions such as engineering, marketing, and AppleCare. It claims that Apple’s compensation practices, which are purportedly based on previous earnings or salary expectations, result in lower pay rates for women. Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that Apple’s performance evaluation system exhibits bias against women, impacting their opportunities for raises and bonuses.
Apple’s Response and Commitment to Pay Equity
Responding to these allegations, Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, has publicly reiterated its commitment to inclusion and pay equity. The tech giant asserts that it has strived to achieve and maintain gender pay equity since 2017, regularly reviewing compensation with the assistance of a third-party expert to ensure fairness and transparency.
Legal Proceedings and Seeking Redress
Eve Cervantez, representing the plaintiffs, argues that Apple’s practices perpetuate existing gender pay disparities, creating a challenging situation for female employees. The plaintiffs are being represented by renowned law firms experienced in handling similar cases, and the lawsuit accuses Apple of violating California’s Equal Pay Act and other state laws pertaining to workplace bias and unfair practices.
Additional Allegations and Calls for Accountability
In addition to claims of gender pay disparity, one of the plaintiffs, Justina Jong, alleges that Apple failed to address her request for a transfer to a different team after she reported experiencing sexual harassment by a colleague. Seeking unspecified damages and penalties, the lawsuit underscores the need for accountability and redress in addressing systemic issues of gender discrimination in the workplace.
