According to NYT report: Apple does not see a “toxic workplace” at fitness+

Apple stands in the legal dispute with a former employee who accuses a high -ranking manager the creation of a “toxic workplace” including “bullying”. The reports the New York Times. Jay Blahnik, when Vice President of Fitness Technologies is responsible, among others, should have been “verbally insulting, manipulative and inappropriate”. Apple rejects the allegations and defends himself in court. An internal investigation had “no evidence of misconduct”. The New York Times report contains “many incorrect claims and incorrect depictions,” said Apple. “We contradict the premise of this story.”

Mental sick leave for ten employees

According to the newspaper, not only the complaining woman is said to have accused of blahs. Overall, it is “nine current or former employees” that spoke of a “toxic working environment” under the manager, who used to work for Nike, among others. Kayla D., who has now left Apple and worked as a social media coordinator, stated that at the end of the day she had the feeling that (employees) did not count. Apple stated that you take “all worries seriously” and campaign “intensively for creating and maintaining a positive and integrative work environment”.

Affected people told the newspaper that more than ten people from Blahnik’s team had taken longer “mental health Leaves”, i.e. sick reports due to psychological problems, since 2022 – there were also other sick leave. The New York Times also writes that Blahnik sent text messages to an employee who had experienced as “inappropriate and worrying”. Among other things, it was about the type of clothing of the employee. In a video call, there is also joking about a possible affair of the man.

“Constructive feedback and coaching”

The lawsuit comes from Mandana M., a former podcaster for Apple Fitness+. The 41-year-old claims that Blahnik bullied her (“Bullying”). The lawsuit is pending at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Among other things, it is said that a subordinate from Blahnik is said to have tried to find reasons to fire M. The ex-employee accuses Apple “harassment, discrimination, retaliation measures or other damage”.

Apple stated that M. received “constructive feedback and coaching from her superiors”, but there was “well -documented history of unresolved performance problems” with the employee. Blahnik himself didn’t want to speak to the New York Times. In addition to the fitness+offer, the manager was also of great importance when introducing the Apple Watch, among other things, the fitness rings is said to have invented the computer clock.