Jay Blahnik Faces Allegations of Toxic Workplace at Apple Amid Internal Investigation Results

Nine current and former employees of Apple have brought forward serious accusations against Jay Blahnik, Apple's Vice President of Fitness Technologies, claiming he created a toxic work environment. The allegations suggest that Blahnik engaged in verbally abusive, manipulative, and inappropriate behavior. The report indicates that over 10 employees, representing a substantial portion of his team, have taken extended mental health or medical leaves since 2022 due to the alleged hostile environment.

In response, Apple has firmly refuted the accusations, with spokesperson Lance Lin emphasizing that the company disagrees with the report's premise, highlighting multiple inaccuracies and mischaracterizations. Lin stressed Apple’s commitment to maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace and noted that the company takes such concerns seriously. Despite the allegations, an internal investigation reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing by Blahnik, who continues to hold his executive position.

Besides verbal abuse, incidents cited in the report include inappropriate jokes about Olympic skier Ted Ligety and remarks about the personal lives and physical appearances of colleagues. Among the accusers is Mandana Mofidi, who filed a lawsuit against Apple and Blahnik, alleging she faced retaliation after raising concerns about workplace harassment and pay inequity. Mofidi claims she was subjected to intense professional criticism and was denied a transfer request, which led to her resignation. Her case is set for trial in 2027.

Wil Tidman, a former creative director within the team, reportedly received a late-night text from Blahnik deemed unsettling, prompting Tidman to take medical leave. This incident was reportedly resolved through a settlement following mediation.

Apple, while maintaining its defense, has dismissed the allegations in Mofidi’s lawsuit, asserting that she received constructive feedback and coaching to address performance issues. The company underscored its investigative efforts, which involved speaking with numerous employees, indicating no confirmation of the alleged retaliation by Blahnik.

Despite the scrutiny and the backdrop of these serious accusations, Blahnik remains a pivotal figure within the company, credited for key innovations like the Apple Watch's "Close Your Rings" feature, which has been integral to the Apple Fitness+ subscription service. Apple continues to stand by Blahnik, suggesting that their internal review found no actionable evidence to substantiate the claims against him.