Apple Unequal Pay Suit: Former Executive Claims Retaliation and Gender Pay Disparities

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Yet the praise didn’t shield her from the fallout. Following her involvement in the investigation into Blahnik’s conduct, Mofidi claims Blahnik exploded at her during a meeting, marking the beginning of a downward spiral in her treatment. In April 2023, she was given an ultimatum: either accept a performance improvement plan or sign a severance agreement.

Retaliation and a Hostile Work Environment

Mofidi alleged that her participation in the investigation led to retaliatory actions from Blahnik, who allegedly unleashed a “storm of disturbing hostility” after Mofidi reported her concerns to Apple’s employee relations team. Despite being praised by other employees for her work, the company refused to allow Mofidi to transfer to another department, such as Apple Podcasts or Apple TV+, as she had requested.

The escalating hostility prompted Mofidi to take medical leave in June 2023 to manage anxiety caused by her toxic work environment. In October, Apple concluded its investigation, finding no conclusive evidence of retaliation but inviting Mofidi to return to work. Mofidi, however, insisted that she would only return under different management, a request Apple rejected.

A Forced Resignation and Legal Action

Unable to secure a transfer to another department, Mofidi resigned from her position, citing the inability to work under Blahnik’s management as the primary reason. She is now seeking compensatory damages, including lost wages and benefits, as well as punitive damages and attorney fees.