The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc., accusing the tech giant of religious discrimination and retaliation against a Jewish employee.
The complaint centers on Tyler Steele, who worked at Apple’s Reston, Virginia retail location since 2007 and converted to Judaism in 2023. After his conversion, Steele requested not to work on Fridays and Saturdays to observe the Jewish Sabbath. The EEOC alleges his manager denied the request, citing internal scheduling policies, and later began disciplining him under grooming rules.
When Steele refused to work a Friday shift in keeping with his religious observance, the suit claims he was terminated in January 2024 — close in time to his accommodation request. The EEOC argues these actions violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating based on religion or retaliating against employees who assert discrimination claims.
The EEOC is seeking back pay, damages, and punitive relief. Apple has not publicly responded to the claims.
Under Acting EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, the agency has stepped up its focus on protecting religious rights in the workplace — making this case emblematic of its renewed agenda.
