Jay Blahnik, the renowned fitness guru who helped transform the Apple Watch into a global phenomenon, now finds himself at the center of a storm swirling through Apple’s gleaming corridors. Hailed as a visionary for inventing the Apple Watch’s iconic three-ring interface—those pastel-colored circles that nudge users to move, stand, and burn calories—Blahnik’s leadership has come under intense scrutiny following allegations of workplace harassment, bullying, and a culture of fear that, according to several staffers, pushed more than ten employees onto medical or mental health leave since 2022.
According to a detailed New York Times report published on August 22, 2025, nine current and former Apple employees have accused Blahnik, Apple’s Vice President of Fitness Technologies, of behavior ranging from verbal abuse and manipulation to inappropriate remarks and sustained retaliation. These claims, which paint a picture of a toxic work environment beneath the glossy surface of Apple’s fitness empire, have sparked internal investigations, settlements, and a still-unfolding lawsuit in Los Angeles.
Blahnik, who joined Apple in 2013 after a high-profile stint at Nike, quickly built a reputation as both a creative force and a demanding boss. But as staffers tell it, the pressure to deliver on Apple’s ambitious fitness goals came at a steep human cost. "He could be verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate," several employees told the New York Times, speaking anonymously out of fear of professional retaliation. The allegations against Blahnik are not just about tough management—they include crude sexual jokes, public humiliation, and what some describe as targeted campaigns of retaliation against those who raised concerns.
One particularly troubling incident reportedly occurred in 2021, when Blahnik joked during a meeting about sleeping with Olympic skier Ted Ligety. In the same period, he allegedly made lewd comments about the bodies of trainers and publicly suggested that a colleague’s child must have been the result of an affair because of the child's hair color. In another episode, Blahnik quipped during a team call that creative director Wil Tidman was sleeping with a male producer, then followed up with a message described as "inappropriate and unsettling." According to the New York Times, this led Tidman to take medical leave, and a settlement was later reached after legal intervention.
Mandana Mofidi, who joined Apple in 2021 to help lead its podcast strategy, soon found herself in Blahnik’s crosshairs after raising concerns about unequal pay. Initially praised for her work, Mofidi’s relationship with Blahnik soured after Apple’s HR department required her to participate in an investigation into his behavior toward Tidman. Despite her reluctance—she was told "participation is not voluntary"—Mofidi complied. Just two days later, during a routine meeting about the "Time to Walk" program, Blahnik allegedly exploded at her. A freelancer on the call intervened, urging Blahnik to calm down and speak respectfully. For Mofidi, this was the start of what she describes as a months-long campaign of retaliation.
"The whole experience was incredibly isolating, humiliating and honestly, scary," Mofidi told the New York Times. She says her performance was relentlessly scrutinized by one of Blahnik’s lieutenants, making it clear that a paper trail was being built to push her out. By April 2023, Mofidi was given an ultimatum: accept a buyout or go on a performance improvement plan. She reported the retaliation to HR, which promised protection but, according to Mofidi, did nothing to change the situation. Apple’s in-house health team diagnosed her with anxiety and depression, granting her medical leave. When her leave ended, Mofidi requested a transfer to another division—a request Apple denied. She ultimately resigned and has since filed a lawsuit against Apple, set to go to trial in 2027.
Mofidi was not alone. Former colleagues Chris Neil and Nathan Olivarez-Giles also departed the company after supporting Tidman’s claims, citing similar experiences of retaliation and isolation. Kayla Desautels, the team’s former social media coordinator, described her time at Apple as uniquely damaging. "I’ve never worked anywhere more toxic. At the end of the day, we don’t matter," she said, recounting how her tenure ended with a mental health leave and resignation.
Despite the mounting complaints, Apple’s official response has been to stand by Blahnik, at least for now. The company did investigate the allegations but ultimately decided to keep Blahnik in his role. One sexual harassment complaint was quietly settled, and Apple spokesman Lance Lin stated on August 22, 2025, that the company "takes all concerns seriously" and is "committed to a positive and inclusive workplace." Yet Lin also dismissed the allegations as riddled with "inaccuracies"—without specifying which ones—and insisted that Apple would "continue to share the facts through the legal process." Blahnik, now 57, did not respond to requests for comment.
For some employees, the company’s handling of the allegations has been as troubling as the behavior itself. After Mofidi reported her experience, Apple’s employee relations team claimed to have interviewed more than 20 people. While they could not confirm any retaliation, they did admit Mofidi had "taken the brunt of a lot of the harshness that Jay exhibited." Still, Apple denied her request to transfer out of the division, leading to her eventual resignation.
The fallout from the controversy has extended far beyond the individuals directly involved. The revelations have reignited debates about workplace culture in Silicon Valley, where the pressure to innovate and deliver world-beating products often collides with the need for healthy, supportive environments. Apple, long revered for its emphasis on design and user experience, now faces questions about whether it has done enough to protect its own employees from harm—especially those who dare to speak out.
Some observers point to Apple’s rapid growth and relentless pursuit of perfection as factors that can breed toxic dynamics, particularly when high-profile leaders are given wide latitude. Others argue that the company’s response—investigating, settling complaints, but ultimately keeping Blahnik in place—reflects a broader pattern in the tech industry, where star talent is often shielded from consequences. Apple, for its part, maintains that it is "committed to a positive and inclusive workplace," a refrain that rings hollow for those who feel their concerns have gone unheard.
As the lawsuit brought by Mofidi moves toward trial in 2027, and as more former employees come forward with their stories, Apple’s handling of the Blahnik allegations is likely to remain under the microscope. Whether the company will take further action—or whether the culture at the heart of its fitness technologies division will change—remains to be seen. For now, the pastel rings on millions of wrists serve as a reminder of both Apple’s achievements and the human costs that can lurk behind even the brightest innovations.
