Apple Agrees to $150,000 Shabbat-Observance Settlement

Apple agreed to pay $150,000 and revise its religious-accommodation practices to settle an EEOC lawsuit brought over the firing of Tyler Steele, a Jewish employee who observed Shabbat. The proposed consent decree, which requires federal-court approval, allocates $80,000 in back pay and $70,000 in damages and interest. The EEOC alleged that a new manager rescinded Steele's approved Friday-and-Saturday accommodation, and that Apple fired him in January 2024 after he complained of antisemitism and again said he could not work Friday. Apple denied wrongdoing; the proposal also requires updated policies and training for certain Virginia employees within 90 days.