Apple class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: A former Apple employee filed a class action lawsuit against Apple Inc.
- Why: The tech giant allegedly illegally restricted its employees from having second jobs.
- Where: The Apple class action lawsuit was removed to Washington federal court.
A new class action lawsuit claims that Apple illegally prohibited its employees from having second jobs.
Plaintiff Gabriel Fisher, a former Apple employee, filed the class action complaint against the company on Dec. 17 in Washington state court, alleging violations of state employment laws. The case was later removed to Washington federal court.
According to the class action lawsuit, Apple has been unlawfully restricting its low-wage employees from engaging in additional employment, violating Washington state’s noncompetition law.
The lawsuit claims the company’s business practices have prevented Apple employees who earn less than twice the state minimum wage from holding second jobs, working as independent contractors or being self-employed.
The plaintiff argues that these restrictions are illegal under Washington state law, which prohibits such covenants for low-wage workers.
“Apple’s policies and procedures reflect a standard business practice designed to prevent low-wage workers from having second jobs,” the Apple class action lawsuit says.
Class members seeking $5,000 each in statutory damages, Apple class action alleges
The Washington state law, effective since Jan. 1, 2020, aims to facilitate workforce mobility and protect workers by prohibiting restrictive covenants that limit competition or hiring, the Apple class action lawsuit says.
The law specifically states that an employer may not restrict, restrain or prohibit an employee earning less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage from having an additional job, supplementing their income by working for another employer, working as an independent contractor or being self-employed.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Apple violated this provision by imposing restrictive covenants on its employees, preventing them from seeking additional employment opportunities.
The plaintiff and other class members who were subject to these restrictions are seeking $5,000 each in statutory damages, plus attorney fees and costs.
A preliminary review of Apple’s records shows that more than 1,000 individuals worked for Apple in Washington from Dec. 17, 2022, to Jan. 15, 2026, and earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage, the class action lawsuit states.
The lawsuit aims to represent a class of all current and former Apple employees who worked in Washington and earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage from Dec. 17, 2022, through the date of certification of the class.
In another recent Apple class action, a consumer alleges the tech giant falsely advertises digital content on its Apple TV platform as “4K.”
What do you think of the allegations made in this Apple class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Timothy W. Emery, Patrick B. Reddy, Paul Cipriani and Hannah M. Hamley of Emery Reddy P.C.
The Apple class action lawsuit is Fisher v. Apple Inc., Case No. 2:26-cv-00204, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
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