In a shocking revelation, Justina Jong, an employee at Apple, discovered that she was being paid significantly less than her male colleague for doing the same job. The discovery came about when she stumbled upon a W-2 tax form belonging to her male counterpart on the office printer. This incident has now led to a lawsuit filed against Apple, claiming that the tech giant systematically underpaid thousands of women.

The lawsuit, filed by Jong and another long-time employee, Amina Salgado, in San Francisco County Superior Court, alleges that over 12,000 women in Apple's engineering, marketing, and "AppleCare" warranty departments have been subjected to lower compensation compared to their male counterparts. Jong, who has been with the company for over a decade, emphasized that her male colleague was earning nearly $10,000 more than her.

Seeking class-action status, Jong and Salgado are determined to obtain back pay, plus 10% interest, for the current and former female employees who have allegedly fallen victim to Apple's discriminatory pay practices over the past four years. The lawsuit claims that Apple systematically paid women lower salaries, despite similar education and experience, thus perpetuating a gender pay gap within the company.

This legal action has once again brought attention to the issue of gender inequality in Silicon Valley's male-dominated technology industry. In 2022, Google settled a class-action lawsuit by agreeing to pay $118 million to approximately 15,500 women, who claimed that the company had discriminated against them in various aspects of employment. Similar allegations have plagued Apple, as its recent diversity report showcases a significant gender disparity within its workforce.

The lawsuit against Apple further highlights the company's practice of asking potential hires about their previous pay until late 2017. This led to women being offered lower starting salaries when compared to their male counterparts for the same job. Jong, employed in 2013, received a base salary similar to what she had earned in her previous job, while Salgado, who joined in 2012, repeatedly voiced her concerns about being paid less due to her gender. An investigation conducted by a third-party company hired by Apple validated Salgado's claims, yet the company refused to provide her with back pay for the years she was underpaid.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Apple, as it faces allegations of perpetuating gender pay disparities within its ranks. As the tech industry continues to grapple with gender inequality, this case underscores the need for companies to address and rectify these issues in order to create an inclusive and fair working environment for all employees.