After NYT report: Apple sees no "toxic workplace" at Fitness+
An ex-Apple employee has sued the company because she accuses Fitness+ boss Jay Blahnik of "bullying". After an investigation, Apple sees things differently.
Jay Blahnik is Vice President of Fitness Technologies at Apple. He previously worked for Nike, among others.
(Image: Apple)
Apple is in a legal dispute with a former employee who accuses a high-ranking manager of creating a "toxic workplace" including "bullying". This is reported in the New York Times. Jay Blahnik, who as Vice President of Fitness Technologies was responsible for the Fitness+ subscription service, among other things, is alleged by the ex-employee to have been "verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate". Apple rejects the allegations and defends itself in court. An internal investigation had produced "no evidence of misconduct". The New York Times report contains "many inaccurate allegations and misrepresentations", according to Apple. "We strongly disagree with the premise of this story."
Psychiatric sick leave for ten employees
According to the newspaper, it is not only the woman who is suing that has made allegations against Blahnik. In total, there were "nine current or former employees" who spoke of a "toxic work environment" under the manager, who previously worked for Nike, among others. Kayla D., who has since left Apple and worked as a social media coordinator, said she felt at the end of the day that [employees] didn't matter. Apple said it was taking "all concerns seriously" and was "working hard to create and maintain a positive and inclusive work environment".
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Those affected told the newspaper that more than ten people on Blahnik's team had taken extended "mental health leaves" since 2022 – along with other sick leave. The New York Times also writes that Blahnik sent text messages to an employee that he found "inappropriate and disturbing". Among other things, the messages concerned the way the employee was dressed. A video call is also said to have included jokes about a possible affair involving the man.
"Constructive feedback and coaching"
The complaint comes from Mandana M., a former podcaster for Apple Fitness+. The 41-year-old claims that Blahnik bullied her. The lawsuit is pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It alleges, among other things, that one of Blahnik's subordinates tried to find reasons to fire M. The ex-employee accuses Apple of "harassment, discrimination, retaliation or other harm".
Apple stated that M. had received "constructive feedback and coaching from her supervisors", but that there was "a well-documented history of unresolved performance issues" with the employee. Blahnik himself would not speak to the New York Times. In addition to the Fitness+ offering, the manager was also instrumental in the launch of the Apple Watch and is said to have invented the fitness rings on the computer watch, among other things.
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