Apple accused of restricting workers’ Slack, social media use

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint against Apple on Thursday, accusing the iPhone maker of improperly restricting workers’ use of Slack and other social media. 

The agency alleges that Apple fired an employee for advocating for workplace changes on Slack and maintained unlawful rules about acceptable uses of the platform, according to a summary of the complaint provided by the labor board. 

The NLRB also accused the tech giant of surveilling employees or creating an appearance of surveillance by asking them about social media posts and an anonymous open letter and directing one employee to delete a post. 

The complaint comes as part of a case brought by former Apple employee Janneke Parrish nearly three years ago, according to Reuters. Parrish filed a complaint with the labor board in December 2021, alleging she had been fired for her role in employee activism. 

Apple said in a statement to the AP that it takes employee complaints seriously and is committed to maintaining “a positive and inclusive workplace.”

The iPhone maker disputed the allegations in Thursday’s complaint and vowed to “share the facts at the hearing.” 

An NLRB administrative law judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on the case in late February 2025. 

This is the second time in the past month that Apple has faced a complaint from the labor board. In late September, the agency accused the firm of forcing its employees to sign agreements with overly broad misconduct and social media policies, Reuters reported.