Apple manager on leave after uncovering sexism in the workplace
This criticism was apparently not well received: Apple has sent a manager on unpaid leave. She had previously denounced abuses in the workplace.
Ashley M. Gjøvik, Apple’s Senior Engineering Program Manager, says she has been fighting sexism in the workplace for several years. Your first complaint in 2018 was investigated by Apple, but then dropped because the company was unable to discover any grievances. Now Gjøvik has gone public with new allegations.
Her complaints are mainly about corporate communications, “a hostile work environment”, “dangerous working conditions” and sexual harassment. In an interview with The Verge Gjøvik reported that she had asked for some mitigation while the investigation was ongoing. The employee relations team offered her sick leave and an employee assistance program (EAP) therapy. EAP is a short-term advisory service that aims to resolve conflicts in the immediate vicinity. These measures were apparently not enough for Gjøvik: Instead, she wanted a conversation with her superiors and new, clearer regulations – whereupon Apple gave her an indefinite leave of absence.
The thing that broke the barrel for Gjøvik was the blocking of all internal slack channels on which she had communicated with other employees. In addition, according to her own statements, she was urged not to meet any other Apple employees during the investigation. After that, Gjøvik apparently decided to post the case on Twitter. She shows that in a tweet Screenshot of a chat history with a manager who praised her for not raising her voice during a presentation. This type of tone policing was considered inappropriate by Gjøvik. Gjøvik says she has 558 more pieces of evidence filed for their claims.
Users on Twitter react differently, Gjøvik also struggles with backlash. Some users believe that the manager should not bite the hand that is feeding her. But there are also expressions of solidarity:
Gjøvik has been active for a long time, together with other employees she fought against Apple’s opening of the offices, which in their opinion came too early and would have endangered the health of the employees.
This year, Apple had several arguments with its employees: In February, employee Antonio Garcia Martinez had to complain about misogynistic statements in his book leave the company. There had been a petition for his release.
