Apple CEO Tim Cook addresses workplace issues, pay equity, more in all-hands meeting

Apple CEO Tim Cook fielded questions regarding pressing employee relations topics in an all-hands meeting on Friday, and while he acknowledged certain issues, some workers were not placated by his answers.

Cook, along with SVP of Retail and People Deirdre O'Brien, addressed a range of subjects from pay equity to Texas' new abortion law in a meeting broadcast to employees around the world, reports The New York Times.

Activist employees told the publication that Cook answered only two of a number of questions they wanted to ask. The report fails to detail what those two questions were, but notes the Apple chief did comment on pay equity, at least in part.

The company regularly assesses compensation practices to ensure employees are paid fairly, Cook and O'Brien said, according to the report.

"When we find any gaps at all, which sometimes we do, we close them," O'Brien said.

The answer echoes a statement O'Brien offered to employees earlier this month when she said Apple had reached pay equity.

Cook on Friday also said Apple is investigating whether it can help the legal fight challenging Texas' abortion law, adding that the company's medical insurance will assist employees who need to travel to other states because of the new legislation. The company said much the same in an internal memo issued late last night.

It appears that Cook declined to answer certain questions submitted by employees, including at least one from #AppleToo coordinator Janneke Parrish. Parrish wanted clarity on concrete steps Apple had taken to ensure pay gaps were resolved and that there was more representation in leadership from women and minorities, the report said.

"With the answers Tim gave today, we weren't heard," Parrish said.

Apple in a statement to The New York Times said it is "deeply committed" to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.

"We take all concerns seriously and we thoroughly investigate whenever a concern is raised and, out of respect for the privacy of any individuals involved, we do not discuss specific employee matters," the company said.

Today's Q&A session comes amid unrest from within Apple's ranks. Current and former employees created the #AppleToo movement to collect and share stories illustrating workplace harassment, sexism, racism, inequity and other serious allegations that have fallen on deaf ears. Hundreds of accounts have been submitted so far.

Last week, Ashley Gjovik, who spoke out publicly on unaddressed workplace issues, was fired for allegedly leaking confidential material. The termination is now being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board as a potential retaliatory action.

The report goes on to recount Apple employees' recent history of organizing, activity that was in part facilitated by the introduction of Slack. Employees attempted to discuss pay equity and remote work in separate Slack channels last month, but the efforts were squashed.

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28 Comments

sdw2001 17459 comments · 23 Years

About 3 years ago

Not to make this expressly political per se, but this is what happens. The left eats itself. Apple is probably one of the most progressive employers in the world. The notion that there is some massive problem in gender and racial equity doesn’t even pass the smell test.

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

sdw2001 said:

Not to make this expressly political per se, but this is what happens. The left eats itself. Apple is probably one of the most progressive employers in the world. The notion that there is some massive problem in gender and racial equity doesn’t even pass the smell test.

Even the most progressive employer in the world has progress to make. "Progressive" isn't a binary switch that you flip on, it's an ongoing journey. What you describe as "the left eating itself" is progress in action, self-challenging and self-correcting.

riss 47 comments · 13 Years

crowley said:

sdw2001 said:

Not to make this expressly political per se, but this is what happens. The left eats itself. Apple is probably one of the most progressive employers in the world. The notion that there is some massive problem in gender and racial equity doesn’t even pass the smell test.

Even the most progressive employer in the world has progress to make. "Progressive" isn't a binary switch that you flip on, it's an ongoing journey. What you describe as "the left eating itself" is progress in action, self-challenging and self-correcting.

great definition of “progressive” self-delusion

riss said:

crowley said:

sdw2001 said:

Not to make this expressly political per se, but this is what happens. The left eats itself. Apple is probably one of the most progressive employers in the world. The notion that there is some massive problem in gender and racial equity doesn’t even pass the smell test.

Even the most progressive employer in the world has progress to make. "Progressive" isn't a binary switch that you flip on, it's an ongoing journey. What you describe as "the left eating itself" is progress in action, self-challenging and self-correcting.

great definition of “progressive” self-delusion

What's the delusion?

I'm not saying that people who call themselves progressive always get it right.

genovelle 1481 comments · 16 Years

Pay is subjective at best. Gender gaps can exist for a number or reasons that are not discriminatory. Would it be fair to pay one woman with no outside obligations to limit her availability for professional development and who invests more of her time on projects for the company the same as someone who can only do the bare minimum? It even that.

That is the beauty of sales positions. They a general performance based pay and you pay your own way. While unfortunately favorites might get perks like being handed manager referrals, You make your own path via your actions. Want more money, do more work.