Trailblazer PACESETTER Late Bloomer

Apple Inc., a multinational technology company, has been ranked as a PACESETTER on the Women’s Power and Influence Index. Apple has effectively achieved and maintained gender pay parity since 2017.

Apple’s Diversity Network Associations, such as Women@Apple, offer leadership development and networking opportunities. For full-time U.S. employees, Apple offers 10-12 weeks of pregnancy leave, followed by six weeks of new parent leave and four weeks of gradual return to work. Apple’s Speaker Series serves as an opportunity for AppleCare employees to come together and have honest discussions on various topics including racism and sexism.

As of 2022, women constitute 33.16% of the total workforce and 21.26% of leadership at Apple. The fraction of women in leadership decreased by 7.63% between 2021 and 2022.

Apple lacks sufficient information including women’s mentorship, women’s recruitment strategies, and subsidized childcare.

Review the comprehensive WPI criteria and methodology.

✓ Does the company demonstrate a clear and transparent commitment to equal pay? 

“At Apple, we remain committed to building a more equitable and inclusive world by increasing diverse representation at every level, fostering an inclusive culture that brings everybody in, and ensuring equitable pay and access to opportunity for all.” Ref: pg. 23, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company perform an annual analysis of gender pay equity and pay disparities? 

“Annual pay equity review: To maintain pay equity, we engage an independent third-party expert to build and run statistical models to assess and resolve any differences in total compensation on the basis of gender and, in the U.S., on the basis of race and ethnicity and at the intersections with gender.” Ref: pg. 28, Apple ESG Report

✓ Do female employees earn at least 95% of what their male counterparts earn?

“Since 2017, Apple has achieved and maintained gender pay equity for our employees worldwide. In the U.S., we’ve also achieved pay equity with respect to race and ethnicity — as well as pay equity at the intersections of race and ethnicity with gender.” Ref: pg. 28, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to actively attracting, retaining, and/or promoting women within the organization? 

“We work to ensure that our stores reflect the communities we serve. That’s why we’re increasing leadership representation across our Retail teams. The number of women globally and Black and Hispanic/Latinx leaders in the United States in Retail grew by two percentage points year over year. And since 2017, these communities grew by five or more percentage points each.” Ref: Apple Diversity (Website)

✓ Does the company provide professional development programs designed specifically for female employees? 

“For more than 35 years, Apple employees have found community and connection in Apple’s Diversity Network Associations (DNAs). These employee-led groups foster a culture of belonging through education, leadership development, networking, and volunteering — while also encouraging the kind of open dialogue that leads to stronger allyship across Apple…

More than 55,000 Apple employees belong to groups like… Women@Apple”

Ref: pg.25, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company provide professional development programs designed specifically for diverse employees?

“For more than 35 years, Apple employees have found community and connection in Apple’s Diversity Network Associations (DNAs). These employee-led groups foster a culture of belonging through education, leadership development, networking, and volunteering — while also encouraging the kind of open dialogue that leads to stronger allyship across Apple…

More than 55,000 Apple employees belong to groups like Accessibility@Apple, AsianPacific@Apple, Beacon@Apple, Black@Apple, Familia@Apple, Indigenous@Apple, Pride@Apple, SouthAsian@ Apple, Veterans@Apple, Women@Apple, and more.”

Ref: pg.25, Apple ESG Report

✘ Does the company offer a formal mentoring program to support the career advancement of all female employees? 

✓ Does the company offer a formal mentoring program to support the career advancement of diverse employees?  

“Apple team members have access to career development programs, ongoing inclusion and diversity education, and support throughout their career journey. From new-hire orientation, to specialized classes for individual contributors and managers, to talent planning and mentorship, we’re always finding new ways to help team members continue to learn, thrive, and advance in their careers in an inclusive environment.” Ref: pg. 25, Apple ESG Report

✘ Does the company have policies and programs in place to actively recruit female candidates?

✓ Does the company have policies and programs in place to actively recruit diverse candidates? 

“We continue to make progress toward our goal of having more diverse interview panels and candidates so that diversity is reflected at every stage of the hiring process. We’re making sure everyone involved in the hiring process has access to the information and resources they need to develop inclusive interviewing skills. All of our hiring managers and recruiters receive training in inclusive hiring practices. Our recruiters also receive training on how to continuously drive meaningful conversations with hiring managers to help implement these hiring practices with every role.” Ref: pg.24, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to providing support and/or time off for women with children?

“Apple also provides a number of benefits to support our employees in their personal and family life, including… Referrals and resources for childcare, which includes backup care in the U.S., as well as before- and after-school programs, programs for children with special needs, and more” Ref: pg. 28, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company provide child care support for employees?  

“Apple also provides a number of benefits to support our employees in their personal and family life, including… Referrals and resources for childcare, which includes backup care in the U.S., as well as before- and after-school programs, programs for children with special needs, and more” Ref: pg. 28, Apple ESG Report

✘ Does the company offer subsidized child care?

Information regarding this criterion was unavailable or incomplete.

✓ Does the company offer paid maternity leave for birthing parents?

“9 For full-time U.S. employees, Pregnancy Leave is 10–12 weeks, which is followed by six weeks for New Parent Leave, and then four weeks of a gradual return to work.” Ref: pg.85, Apple ESG Report

✓Does the company provide paid parental leave that extends beyond birthing parents to include surrogacy, adoption, and paternity leave?

“9 For full-time U.S. employees, Pregnancy Leave is 10–12 weeks, which is followed by six weeks for New Parent Leave, and then four weeks of a gradual return to work.” Ref: pg.85, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to supporting the health benefits of its female employees?

“We recognize that our people thrive when they have the resources to meet their needs and the time and support to succeed in their professional and personal lives. We provide a host of benefits for corporate and retail employees to help our teams live healthier, more fulfilled, and happier lives at work and beyond… For example, we recently expanded family care services and mental health benefits.” Ref: pg.27, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company offer women-specific health benefits for female employees?

“Apple provides employees with a wide variety of health-related benefits, including: Comprehensive reproductive health services.” Ref: pg.27, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company have a policy listing prohibited behaviors, such as harassment and retaliation?

“We are committed to providing a workplace free of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression… We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of our employees or those with whom we have a business, service, or professional relationship (including customers), nor do we tolerate workplace violence of any kind.” Ref: pg.30, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company mandate all employees to undergo harassment and discrimination training?

“All employees are required to complete annual, online Business Conduct training, and review and certify their understanding of the Business Conduct Policy…Apple is dedicated to maintaining a creative, diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment, and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of employees or non-employees with whom we have a business, service, or professional relationship.” Ref: pg. 3 & pg.5, Apple Business Conduct

✓ Does the company have a defined harassment policy that includes promptly addressing reported incidents?

“Apple has a no-retaliation policy. Retaliation against anyone who comes forward with a concern or participates in an investigation is grounds for termination. We respect each team member’s right to form or join (or refrain from joining) organizations of their choice in a lawful manner without discrimination, retaliation, or harassment.” Ref: pg.29, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to helping external stakeholders address gender equality issues?

“People at Apple don’t just serve our communities — we’re a part of them. That’s why everywhere Apple is, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to be a force for equity and opportunity, to protect the planet we share, and to help our users get the most out of their technology. Whether we’re working with educators, nonprofit leaders, or the global developer community, we believe in using our technology, our resources, and our voice to help people make a difference in their communities. We can achieve so much more when we work together — with our neighbors — to build a better future for all.” Ref: pg.59, Apple ESG Report

✓ Does the company offer and support initiatives that promote gender equality in the community?

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to helping internal stakeholders/employees address gender equality issues?

“The team delivered, launching a dozen pilots and programs. One of the first programs was the Speaker Series, which provides a platform for AppleCare employees to have open and honest discussions about topics ranging from racism and sexism to allyship in action. The program creates a safe space for employees to show up as their authentic selves and helps create a stronger sense of belonging.” Ref: Apple DEI Programs (Website)

✓ Does the company offer equity-focused trainings, speaker programs, or events for employees?

“The team delivered, launching a dozen pilots and programs. One of the first programs was the Speaker Series, which provides a platform for AppleCare employees to have open and honest discussions about topics ranging from racism and sexism to allyship in action. The program creates a safe space for employees to show up as their authentic selves and helps create a stronger sense of belonging. Farhoudi was one of its first speakers.” Ref: Apple DEI Programs (Website)

*Our Index utilizes binary measurements, where ✓ represents a score of 1, and ✘ represents a score of 0.

*All links are valid as of April 2024