Apple Settles Religious Discrimination Case, Pays $150,000 to Former Employee Fired Over Sabbath Observance

Apple has agreed to pay $150,000 to Tyler Steele, a former employee who was fired after requesting not to work on Fridays and Saturdays to observe the Jewish Sabbath. The settlement resolves a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in September 2025. Although Apple denies any wrongdoing, it chose to settle the case to avoid further litigation.

Steele, who converted to Judaism, consistently received positive performance reviews before his dismissal from an Apple Store in Virginia. His termination followed his request for schedule accommodations to honor his religious practices. Under the settlement, Apple will pay $80,000 as back wages subject to taxes and $70,000 as damages and interest in a one-time payment.

Additionally, Apple will provide religious discrimination and accommodation training to certain retail employees in Northern Virginia. For two years, the company must report to the EEOC on any denied accommodation requests and complaints related to religious discrimination. The settlement order was issued on August 12, 2026, and Apple must make the payment within 30 days of its effective date.

The EEOC highlighted that Apple denied the allegations but agreed to settle. Apple had not publicly commented on the case prior to the agreement.