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Jay Blahnik, Apple’s Vice President for Fitness Technologies and a well-known figure in the industry, is at the center of a row after employees described a toxic workplace under his leadership.
Nine current and former staff said Blahnik could be verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate, behavior they linked to more than 10 workers taking extended medical or mental health leave since 2022. Blahnik oversees around 100 employees and is credited with creating the Apple Watch’s “Close Your Rings” feature.
Apple conducted an internal investigation into Blahnik’s conduct, settling one complaint and facing a lawsuit from employee Mandana Mofidi, who alleged bullying. The company concluded there was no evidence of wrongdoing and allowed Blahnik to remain in his role.
Complaints of retaliation and harassment
“At the end of the day, we don’t matter,” said Kayla Desautels, who worked as Social Media Coordinator before leaving after a mental health leave. “I had never worked anywhere more toxic.”
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Apple spokesperson Lance Lin said the company took “all concerns seriously” and was “deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace.” He added: “We strongly disagree with the premise of this story, and there are many inaccurate claims and mischaracterizations.”
Mofidi, who joined Apple in 2021, said her positive review included comments that her first year was “marked by significant growth and achievement.” But she raised concerns over lower pay increases compared with male colleagues, according to her lawsuit.
Shortly after, Mofidi was drawn into an investigation involving Blahnik and another manager. “I was aware of his behavior, his vindictiveness,” she said. “I was nervous.”
When a project meeting escalated with Blahnik yelling at her, the incident “kicks off this whole campaign that ensues for months,” Mofidi said. She later described the experience as “incredibly isolating, humiliating - honestly, scary.”
Two other employees, Chris Neil and Nathan Olivarez-Giles, also took mental health breaks after becoming involved in related complaints, according to three former colleagues.
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Legal and HR fallout
By April 2023, Mofidi said she was offered a buyout or a performance plan. “I feel a lot of pressure to decide my next move and it’s just been thrown at me today,” she wrote in an email. “I don’t understand why.”
Mofidi eventually took medical leave for anxiety and depression. HR officials later acknowledged she had borne “the brunt of a lot of the harshness that Jay exhibited” but allowed him to remain in place. Her request to transfer divisions was denied, leading to her resignation.
Her lawsuit, alleging harassment and retaliation, is scheduled for trial in 2027. Apple has denied “harassment, discrimination, retaliation or any other harm” in legal filings. Blahnik did not respond to requests for comment.
