Apple Executive Addresses Recent Employee Concerns in Internal Video

[MacRumors]

In a video broadcasted to staffers days before Labor Day, Apple's retail and people chief Deirdre O'Brien addressed the growing number of Apple employees voicing their opinions about workplace issues like pay inequality.

For those unaware, over the last few weeks, some Apple employees have taken to Twitter to share their workplace frustrations, sparking the "AppleToo" movement. Created by a group of employees, the "Apple Too" initiative is pushing for Apple to "fulfill its promise of inclusion, diversity, and equity," as the website states.

In the video, which was seen by MacRumors, Deirdre 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.

According to employees, O'Brien's suggestion to consult a manager has not worked for some employees. "The system is not working... it's set up to work against you from the beginning," one employee told MacRumors, requesting to stay anonymous.

That employee said that workers are often told by their managers that their pay is "within range" for their field, leading to ambiguity about why their salary might not be on par with another employee. The person also said that escalating complaints to Apple's people team can lead to manager retaliation.

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." The executive says that Apple is "deeply committed" to pay equity and uses industry-wide standards to reach it.

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.

O'Brien said that based on data from the United States, Apple has already "achieved pay equity," but she says that it is still an "ongoing effort."

As of when this article was published, the AppleToo movement is still collecting stories from Apple employees and sharing their experiences on Twitter. We've contacted Apple for comment and will update if we hear back.

Article Link: Apple Executive Addresses Recent Employee Concerns in Internal Video

 

[britboyj]

This has been rumbling in Tech Twitter for MONTHS. MacRumors has been ignoring it. Good job finally acknowledging Apple has an issue.

 

[nt5672]

Having worked near the top in large companies, both high tech and not, HR (or whatever new name is used) exists to protect management, nothing else. Call it internal marketing if you want a real description.

Anyone that believes otherwise has not been paying attention long enough. Just ask yourself, outside of outrageous management behavior identified by the media or outsiders, has any people chief sided with the people.

It just does not happen.

 

[tsa1]

I still don’t get if companies can pay women or minorities less, why not just hire them exclusively. Especially when you have a bean counter like Cook.

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but perhaps improve at negotiating your pay at start of employment or move on to better opportunities in Silicon Valley. If you’re “stuck “ at Apple then improve your skill set if you are unhappy instead.

 

[CthuluLemon]

Wow, what a tone-deaf and hollow response. Most employees are well aware that HR departments and their policies are meant to mitigate a company’s legal exposure, and as such, are just the personnel wing of the legal team. I don’t understand why they would even make such an internal statement, it does little else but inflame the situation and give the employees a near perfect prompt for rebuttal. Who is making decisions at Apple lately?

With each passing day, the cracks in Apple’s facade grow larger.

 

[Octavius8]

If the company is doing great, like a trillion dollar company with huge profits year after year, why not share the wealth with employees on a transparent basis?, for example: a special bonus due to covid situation, stress and hard efforts with a higher amount paid to those working longer at Apple?. Share the wealth created by your employees!!!.

 

[robbietop]

This sounds like another Twitter attention grab meant to pressure Apple into paying $1500 an hour.

 

[now i see it]

Is there just one person over there who writes all the memos for the executives? Only at Apple will you hear the adverb "deeply" describing everything they do. It's really creepy (deeply creepy)

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Multi-trillion dollar company. The inequality issues needs to be addressed!

 

[hagjohn]

Apple is getting it from all sides recently. Apple opens themselves up because they are so political. When you say one thing and do another, like a lot of big companies, people tend to get upset.

 

[ipponrg]

Is there just one person over there who writes all the memos for the executives? Only at Apple will you hear the adverb "deeply" describing everything they do. It's really creepy (deeply creepy)

At most companies, they have a department that is responsible for writing this. The department usually requires leadership signoff before sending out the memo. Sometimes leadership has their executive assistants manage that task, and then they just give the approval to send.

Long story short, it's not just Apple that you will hear the adverb "deeply". It happens everywhere. Welcome to corporate!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

At most companies, they have a department that is responsible for writing this. The department usually requires leadership signoff before sending out the memo. Sometimes leadership has their executive assistants manage that task, and then they just give the approval to send.

Long story short, it's not just Apple that you will hear the adverb "deeply". It happens everywhere. Welcome to corporate!

I agree! That’s corporate America for you.

 

[Realityck]

That employee said that workers are often told by their managers that their pay is "within range" for their field, leading to ambiguity about why their salary might not be on par with another employee. The person also said that escalating complaints to Apple's people team can lead to manager retaliation.

From my experience salary ranges has always been something that is private, not that you go comparing yourself to everyone else with the same job title. Part of it stems from the day you were hired, and your offer, to how well you are performing and your manager values you as part of the team. But you have people hired with different skill/education valuation along with experience so some that are recent might be paid more then you were with same experience. If you can't elicit the salary you want, then look at other in house positions, or outside to get the job you want.

 

[CthuluLemon]

From my experience salary ranges has always been something that is private, not that you go comparing yourself to everyone else with the same job title. Part of it stems from the day you were hired, and your offer, to how well you are performing and your manager values you as part of the team. But you have people hired with different skill/education valuation along with experience so some that are recent might be paid more then you were with same experience. If you can't elicit the salary you want, then look at other in house positions, or outside to get the job you want.

That’s the corporate message. It’s well proven that companies encourage employees not to share their compensation with others not to prevent tension between employees, but to prevent tension between employees and their employer. It serves the corporate interest to keep employees in the dark about how others are compensated. When people find out they aren’t being paid as much as their co-worker in the same role, they’re much more likely to become resentful toward the employer, the one actually deciding they are worth less. Any resentment to the other employee will be shallow and short-lived. Any corporate training manual for middle-management and above will tell you exactly the same.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Just like when Apple announces a recall or warranty extension, I suspect the word ”few” is doing significant beyond context heavy lifting here.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

O'Brien said that based on data from the United States, Apple has already "achieved pay equity," but she says that it is still an "ongoing effort."

An effort?…

BAHA!

 

[Robert.Walter]

That’s the corporate message. It’s well proven that companies encourage employees not to share their compensation with others not to prevent tension between employees, but to prevent tension between employees and their employer. It serves the corporate interest to keep employees in the dark about how others are compensated. When people find out they aren’t being paid as much as their co-worker in the same role, they’re much more likely to become resentful toward the employer, the one actually deciding they are worth less. Any resentment to the other employee will be shallow and short-lived. Any corporate training manual for middle-management and above will tell you exactly the same.

Fully agree with this perspective based on my sr management experience.

Discussion bans and leaning on confidentiality and intransparency puts downward stabilization pressure on compensation whereas transpara and discussion puts an asymmetric greater upward pressure.

 

[rainafterthesun]

Apple employees are actually paid well compared to the workforce in America as a whole (not talking about relative to how much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ they have stacked overseas).

that said, it’s been drastically cut over time, and they technically are behind when it comes to competitors/peers (pay).

they really need to address it, but more over they need to address leadership. It’s hilarious to read them saying that the employees should go to the leaders when the leaders are often not viewed in a positive light by the employees…

 

[Robert.Walter]

An effort?…

BAHA!

BS on the HR lady; how can ongoing effort be required if the goal has been achieved?

 

[jayducharme]

It surprised me that the salaries at Apple have such a wide disparity, from less than $30k a year to upper six figures. Obviously, not every job requires the same skill set. But it would be interesting to find out where the people complaining on Twitter fall within the salary range.

https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Apple/salaries

 

[HiVolt]

Apple opens themselves up because they are so political. When you say one thing and do another, like a lot of big companies, people tend to get upset.

But that's total Apple, always sounding like the righteous social advocate. Well if you scream racism, inequality long enough, your employees are bound to hear you.

 

[MacStreamer]

Sounds like working at apple retail might not be the best job.

 

[Biu_miu]

Wow, didn’t hear this one before, but people here say, it’s been floating on social media for a while now. Didn’t really get, what the problem is- people working same job and getting different salaries? Apple paying less than competitors? Apple promising to increase salaries but not doing it or what exactly? Are we talking Apple store employees or Apple office level workers?

 

[Art Mark]

A company that attracts more resumes pays less. I’ve seen it, experienced it many times. And there’s always an employee that is sure they are radically underpaid. Apple can pay less than a company no one wants to be part of.

 

[BurgDog]

Should be easy to achieve pay equality. Divide current total pay paid to everyone by number of employees and pay everyone that amount. Include Tim in that calculation too. Why does he get paid so much, unfair. From each according to their ability, to each according to their need - should fit Apples philosophy.