Apple Makes Historic Move By Removing Employee Gag Orders for Talking About Harassment, Discrimination

Apple has been facing mounting pressure from shareholders and activists to remove "concealment clauses" for employees.

learn more about Emily Rella

By Emily Rella

Getty Images

In a major step for worker's rights, Apple has announced that it will no longer keep gag orders in place that forbid employees from speaking about workplace harassment.

In a new memo titled "Our Commitment to an Open and Collaborative Workplace," the company addresses mounting pressures from shareholders and activists that called for Apple to assess "the potential risks to the company associated with its use of concealment clauses in the context of harassment, discrimination and other unlawful acts."

The report specifically referred to Apple's usage of "concealment clauses," which are essentially gag orders put in place (think non-disclosure, post-employment agreements) forbidding employees from talking about any negative treatment they may have experienced or witnessed while working for the company, namely harassment and discrimination.

RELATED: How Much Do Engineers, Software Developers, and Analysts Make at Apple? See Salary List

"You are permitted to speak freely about your wages, hours, and working conditions, including information about harassment, discrimination, or any other conduct you have reason to believe is unlawful, and nothing in this Policy, or any Apple policy, should be interpreted as being restrictive of your right to do so," Apple's updated Business Conduct Policy states. This is inclusive for both full-time and contracted workers.

Activist groups like Apple Together have been pushing for more transparency and change between executives and employees, from calling for more flexibility in employees' in-office work requirements to calling out sexism and discrimination in the workplace, all anonymously.

"This is a BIG deal," the official Twitter account for Apple Together wrote upon the lift of the clauses.

Apple Together grew as a part of the larger #AppleToo movement among employees that encouraged workers in both corporate and retail to speak up about internal issues around the globe.

"Apple's Board intends to remain engaged in the company's efforts to foster a culture where everybody belongs, and a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect," Apple maintained. "And people across Apple are continuing their work to drive inclusion and diversity by engaging team members on their experiences, offering ongoing training and education, and supporting an environment where everyone's voices are heard."

Apple was down around 17% in a one-year period as of Tuesday afternoon.

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Emily Rella is a news writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.

Business News

The 'Airbnbust' Proves the Wild West Days of Online Vacation Rentals Are Over

Airbnb recently reported that 2022 was its first profitable year ever. But the deluge of new listings foreshadowed an inevitable correction.

Business Solutions

Master Coding for Less Than $2 a Course with This Jam-Packed Bundle

Make coding understandable with this beginner-friendly coding bundle, now just $19.99.