The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September sued Apple, claiming the manager of one of its Virginia retail stores made antisemitic comments and forced a Jewish employee to work on the sabbath.
According to the federal lawsuit filed in Alexandria, Virginia, the manager of the Reston store also warned the 16-year-old working at the Genius Bar providing technical support to customers not to discuss the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel with his coworkers.
The teenager said he complained to Apple twice but was fired in January 2024 after refusing to work on a Friday.
Apple denied the teenager's allegations and told USA TODAY it fosters “an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome.” The company also said it received a dozen complaints about the employee from customers and coworkers.
The lawsuit is the latest in a groundswell of complaints alleging faith-based discrimination and antisemitism amid a major push by the Trump administration to increase religious freedom in the workplace.
