Overview

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the suit on Sept. 30, 2025, in the Eastern District of Virginia as EEOC v. Apple, Inc., No. 1:25-cv-1637.
• Regulators allege a Reston, Virginia store manager denied the employee’s requests not to work Fridays and Saturdays for Sabbath observance.
• The complaint says the manager made antisemitic comments, told the worker he smelled like body odor, and warned him not to discuss the October 2023 Hamas attack with coworkers.
• According to the filing, grooming-policy discipline began after the accommodation request, and the 16-year Apple Genius, identified as Tyler Steele, was fired in January 2024 soon after reminding a supervisor about a religious day off.
• The EEOC alleges violations of Title VII and seeks back pay and punitive damages, while Apple has not responded publicly and the claims remain unproven in court.