Apple's former employees, who both worked together to create a revolutionary campaign called #AppleToo, found themselves in a web of lawsuits following harassment accusations from one another.
The #AppleToo Movement
In 2021, current and former employees at Apple group themselves together and invited others to join in hopes of sharing their collective experience of harassment, discrimination, and even retaliation within the company. Not long after the initiative, a movement arose to the ground called the #AppleToo. In the same year, the movement reportedly collected more than 500 testaments from members and non-members of the group.
The movement in question commenced in 2021 after being spearheaded by Apple software engineer Cher Scarlett and her colleague Ashley Gjovik, a senior manager. Since its establishment, #AppleToo managed to provide a voice to hundreds of women, even men, who have been discriminated against at Apple.
However, later that year, the Verge detailed how Apple relieved Gjovik from her position after leaking confidential information. Scarlett was also absent from Apple premises due to a paid medical leave. Still, the internal harassment remained relentless as she advocated for remote work and pay transparency.
By the end of the year, both Scarlett and Gjovik are no longer working with Apple.
#AppleToo Movement Founders in Clash
After joining hands to resist Apple, the battle is no longer in line with the very movement they created. From a New York Post report, the two founders and now ex-Apple employees are caught up in legal wranglings against each other. This is after allegations of stalking, information leaks, and collaboration with Apple had surfaced.
The New York Post also reported that some members believed that Gjovik was only using #AppleToo to justify her case against the tech giant. If recalled, Apple Insider found that she filed complaints involving the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board.
But that's not where the case lies. Apple fired Gjovik for divulging confidential information to a media outlet, which Scarlett revealed through the internal corporate message board. Because of this, Gjovik claimed that Scarlett is working with Apple and serves as "a defense witness."
Scarlett apologized for posting on the said board and denied allegations that she was in a consistent "communication" with Apple.
Apple's former software engineer then claimed that Gjovik was jealous of how media attention was lessening for her.
"She was on a path to get a lot of media attention but outlets struggled to corroborate her story, which kept changing over time," Scarlett reported in court testimony.
In Gjovik's view, Scarlett effectively "blacklisted" her by influencing reporters not to interview her.
There has been a whirlwind of controversies between two parties for alleged harassment one faced from the other. In the end, Ashley Gjovik has been placed under a restraining order against Scarlett and forbidding her from speaking publicly about Scarlett and from coming within 1,000 feet of her.
Meanwhile, Gjovik is appealing to the court on the restraining order placed on her this year.
Apple has been no comment on the Ashley Gjovik and Cher Scarlett dispute. But Labor Department continues to investigate the company over #AppleToo complaints.
Related Article: Apple CEO Tim Cook Says Company is Currently Looking For the Employee Who Leaked a Confidential Memo | Tech Times
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Written by Thea Felicity
