Apple Fitness Executive Jay Blahnik Accused of Fostering Toxic Workplace Environment
Jay Blahnik, a key Apple executive overseeing fitness technologies, is facing serious allegations of creating a toxic and abusive workplace. Blahnik, who leads a team of roughly 100 people and was instrumental in the launch of the Apple Watch and Apple Fitness+, is accused of behavior described as verbally abusive, manipulative, and inappropriate.
The New York Times reported on these allegations, which include details of a current lawsuit against both Blahnik and Apple from a former employee. Furthermore, Apple has already settled a separate, previous complaint that accused Blahnik of sexual harassment.
The report also states that approximately ten percent of the employees under Blahnik’s management have taken extended health or medical leave since 2022, a statistic that sources directly link to the stressful environment. Despite these allegations and the apparent pattern of employee distress, an internal investigation conducted by Apple reportedly found no evidence of any wrongdoing by Blahnik.
This outcome has led to frustration within the team. Employees who spoke to the publication expressed a belief that the company is more focused on protecting a high-profile executive than on genuinely addressing the concerns and well-being of its workforce.
In response to the Times article, an Apple spokesperson, Lance Lin, issued a statement strongly disagreeing with the story’s premise. Lin claimed the report contains many inaccurate claims and mischaracterizations. However, he declined to specify what those inaccuracies were, citing the company’s policy of not discussing matters related to individual employees due to privacy concerns. Lin concluded by stating that Apple will continue to share the facts through the ongoing legal process.
Blahnik joined Apple in 2013 after a long consulting period with Nike, bringing his fitness expertise to what would become some of the company’s most prominent health initiatives. The recent allegations present a significant challenge to Apple’s reputation, particularly in its fitness division which markets itself on promoting health and wellness.
