Apple Fires Back at 'Inaccurate' New York Times Report on Fitness VP Jay Blahnik

A new report from the New York Times has detailed allegations of a toxic work environment within Apple's fitness division, led by Vice President Jay Blahnik. The report centers on claims from nine current and former employees, which Apple has strongly disputed.

Apple hired Blahnik in 2013, a key move that brought the respected fitness expert and Nike+ FuelBand consultant onboard to help shape the health features of the then-forthcoming Apple Watch. He is widely credited as the creator of the watch's signature "Close Your Rings" activity feature and has been the face of the Apple Fitness+ subscription service.

According to the report, several employees have alleged that Blahnik fostered a difficult workplace, with claims of verbal abuse and inappropriate comments. Apple spokesman Lance Lin stated that the company took "all concerns seriously" and was "deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace." Lin added, "We strongly disagree with the premise of this story, and there are many inaccurate claims and mischaracterizations," but declined to provide specific examples.


The New York Times article detailed several alleged incidents. During a 2021 meeting about a fitness feature on Olympic skier Ted Ligety, Blahnik reportedly joked with colleagues about sleeping with the skier. The Fitness+ program featuring Ligety was part of the "Workouts to Get Ready for Snow Season." Other employees claimed he made comments about the physical appearance of trainers who were filming workouts.

The report also details a lawsuit filed against Apple and Blahnik by a former employee, Mandana Mofidi. Mofidi, who joined in 2021 to help lead audio efforts for programs like "Time to Walk," alleged that Blahnik retaliated against her after she participated in a human resources investigation into a separate harassment claim and raised concerns about pay equity. In a legal filing, Apple denied the allegations of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, stating that Mofidi had "received constructive feedback and coaching from her supervisors in response to a well-documented history of unresolved performance issues."

Mofidi's lawsuit claims that after she spoke with investigators, her work was subjected to intense criticism, which she viewed as an effort to build a case to fire her. Apple's employee relations department later told her that its own investigation, which involved speaking with over 20 other employees, could not confirm retaliation by Blahnik. Mofidi said her request to move to another division was denied, leading to her resignation.

The report also claims that Wil Tidman, a creative director on the team, received an inappropriate text message from Blahnik in 2022, after which Tidman went on medical leave. He did not file a lawsuit but reportedly reached a settlement with the company after entering mediation. According to the New York Times, Blahnik's behavior contributed to decisions by over 10 workers to seek extended medical or mental health leaves since 2022.


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