Apple is under scrutiny after multiple employees came forward accusing a top executive of creating a “toxic work environment.”
Jay Blahnik, the company’s Vice President of Fitness Technologies and the mind behind Apple’s fitness subscriptions, is alleged to have verbally harassed and bullied staff, according to nine current and former employees who spoke to The New York Times.
Blahnik, known for his work on the Apple Watch and previously for Nike Training Club and Equinox, reportedly pushed more than ten colleagues to take extended medical leave due to stress and mental health struggles.
Allegations of Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct
Sources say Blahnik was manipulative, verbally abusive, and made inappropriate remarks in the workplace.
Employees described incidents ranging from jokes about sexual encounters with athletes to comments about colleagues’ personal lives.
Allegedly, he commented on the appearances of trainers filming workouts and made vulgar suggestions about a manager’s family, leaving staff feeling isolated and uncomfortable.
One notable example involved creative director Wil Tidman, who reportedly received an unsettling text from Blahnik in 2022, prompting medical leave and a settlement with Apple.
Employees claim similar patterns of intimidation and harassment persisted for others, including audio lead Mandana Mofidi, who joined Apple in 2021.
Alleged Retaliation and Unequal Treatment
Mofidi’s lawsuit outlines what she describes as a campaign of retaliation after raising concerns about unequal pay.
She claims that Blahnik and his team targeted her in emails, created a paper trail to justify potential termination, and subjected her to intense scrutiny, leading to anxiety and depression.
Despite her complaints, she alleges Apple initially protected Blahnik and continued internal investigations rather than addressing her concerns.
After being denied a departmental transfer following medical leave, Mofidi resigned.
Her case is scheduled to go to trial in 2027.
Apple’s Response
Apple has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to the Daily Mail, the company said: “We strongly disagree with the premise of this story and there are many inaccurate claims and mischaracterizations.
We are and have always been deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace.
We take all concerns seriously and we thoroughly investigate whenever a concern is raised.”
Apple asserts it cannot discuss specifics due to privacy but insists it will continue to present facts through the legal process.
Blahnik’s Career and Personal Life
Jay Blahnik has been instrumental in Apple’s fitness initiatives, including the Apple Watch’s iconic circular activity rings.
Beyond Apple, he helped launch Nike Training Club and consulted for celebrity-focused gyms like Equinox.
He and his husband Ryan reside in a Santa Monica townhouse valued at nearly $4 million and have donated significant amounts to the Obama Foundation.
Despite these accolades, the allegations have cast a shadow over his professional reputation and raised questions about workplace culture within Apple’s high-profile teams.
