Apple accused of gender pay gap; Amazon labor law violations

Apple Inc. is facing a significant legal challenge from two former female employees, Justina Jong and Amina Salgado, who have filed a class action lawsuit against the tech giant. The plaintiffs allege systemic bias, claiming that Apple consistently paid female workers $10,000 less than their male counterparts for the same roles.

Jong and Salgado’s complaint highlights a practice that was in place before 2018, where Apple would ask interviewees about their previous salaries to determine their starting pay. This approach perpetuated the gender wage gap already affecting many working women. Although California’s legislature eventually prohibited this practice.

The alleged bias extended beyond salary discrepancies. Jong and Salgado also reported that their male colleagues routinely scored higher on evaluations for teamwork and leadership, resulting in higher bonuses for the men. Despite Salgado filing several complaints with Apple regarding these issues, the company’s internal investigations yielded no significant changes until a third-party investigation was conducted.

In a separate case, Amazon workers in India have alleged harsh working conditions, including being directed to take oaths not to take toilet or water breaks until they complete their target of unloading packages. This practice reportedly affects women the most, as the trucks, often parked in the heat, quickly exhaust the workers during the unloading process.

These cases highlight the ongoing struggles for gender equality and fair treatment in the workplace. Both Apple and Amazon are under scrutiny for their handling of employee concerns and their commitment to fostering an equitable work environment. As these legal battles unfold, they underscore the critical need for systemic changes to address and rectify workplace inequalities.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the people.