Apple fitness technology executive accused of harassment and created a 'toxic work environment,' employees say
Jay Blahnik, Apple's vice president of fitness technology, who helped develop the Apple Watch's three
Apple Fitness Chief Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture and Harassment - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/technology/apple-fitness-jay-blahnik.html
Apple Wellness boss behind iconic invention sickened underlings with leering and screaming, lawsuit alleges | Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15022301/Apple-boss-iconic-invention-underlings-lawsuit.html
Apple Responds to Accusations of Executive Creating 'Toxic Workplace' - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/21/apple-responds-to-jay-blahnik-report/
Blahnik, a well-known figure in the fitness industry who previously worked at Nike, joined Apple in 2013 and has led its fitness technology efforts.
Apple Fitness+ - Apple
https://www.apple.com/apple-fitness-plus/
According to reports, more than 10 employees at Apple are taking extended leave due to mental health issues or extended medical leave as a result of Blahnik's behavior, starting in 2022. Of the roughly 100 employees in the fitness department, more than 10% are affected.
The following are examples of inappropriate behavior by Blahnik:
During a meeting with Olympic skier Ted Ligety, he joked with employees about 'sleeping' with Ligety.
- She was watching a trainer filming her workout for Apple Fitness+ and was talking about her breasts and buttocks.
- Regarding the fact that the hair of a certain manager's wife and child was different colors, he used vulgar language and said, 'He must have been cheating.'
He also allegedly complimented creative director Will Tidman on his clothing and joked that he was having an affair with a male producer. Shortly after receiving the 'inappropriate and disturbing' emails from Blahnik in the summer of 2022, Tidman went on medical leave and filed a harassment complaint with a lawyer. Tidman's case did not go to court and has since reached a settlement with Apple.
Mandana Mofidi, who joined Apple in 2021 to oversee the audio business, is also one of the people who was harassed by Blahnik. While Blahnik reportedly praised Mofidi for her 'great accomplishments' in her first year at the company, Mofidi questioned her 'smaller salary increases compared to men.' The harassment then began, with Blahnik yelling at her while she was on the phone with a freelancer. Mofidi claims that 'Blahnik and people working with Blahnik emailed me with criticism in an attempt to create a record of my actions in order to get me fired.'
Mofidi was given an ultimatum in April 2023: either accept the severance offer and resign, or improve his work performance. He complained that he was being targeted because of his allegedly small salary increase, and approached the HR department. He was told he would no longer be harassed, but the harassment continued, and he became so mentally exhausted he took medical leave.
After his leave, Mofidi requested a transfer but was denied, so he resigned and decided to sue Apple. The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard in 2027.
Regarding the matter, an Apple spokesperson commented, 'The article contains a number of inaccurate claims and misunderstandings, and we strongly disagree with the background to the article. We are deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive, inclusive workplace. We take all concerns seriously and thoroughly investigate whenever an issue is raised. We also respect the privacy of the individuals involved and will not discuss specific employee issues. We will continue to share the facts through the legal process,' according to the Daily Mail.
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