In 2018 and 2019, Apple agreed to pay $25 million to resolve claims regarding discriminatory hiring practices

10 Nov, 2023

In 2018 and 2019, Apple agreed to pay $25 million to resolve claims regarding discriminatory hiring practices

Apple has reached a $25 million settlement to resolve accusations of engaging in discriminatory hiring practices during 2018 and 2019. The agreement, announced recently, marks the conclusion of an extensive Department of Justice investigation into potential violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The federal inquiry, initiated in 2019, found that Apple's hiring policies favored immigrant workers seeking permanent residency over U.S. candidates for certain positions. Furthermore, the investigation revealed discrimination against non-U.S. residents, as highlighted in the settlement. Although Apple strongly denied any wrongdoing in a formal seven-page settlement, it defended its hiring track record in a statement to The Associated Press.

The company, headquartered in Cupertino, California, emphasized its significant employment within the United States, employing over 90,000 individuals and contributing to nationwide job creation. Apple clarified that upon recognizing their inadvertent deviation from DOJ standards, they consented to a settlement addressing the concerns raised.

The $25 million settlement, despite representing a nominal sum for Apple, considering its substantial revenue of $383 billion in the last fiscal year ending Sept. 30, will primarily be directed toward a fund compensating victims of the alleged discriminatory practices. The remainder of the sum accounts for the fine imposed on Apple for its hiring practices during the period covered in the settlement.