That wasn’t even my letter on why I was choosing to leave:

Team,

When I started my journey in XXXX, I was wide-eyed and eager to be a part of a world- leading company who valued changing lives through the user experience. Over the years I have worked alongside some truly amazing people who have helped to shape the person and leader I am today. Thank you.

Fast forward to our ever changing world of 2021 and my once rose colored glasses for Apple are forever shattered. My view and respect for Apple started to wane when Apple very clearly started to censor podcasts and apps were removed from the App Store to silence dissent. That was disheartening and not what I believed Apple stood for as the credo states: “We become a place to belong where everyone is welcome. Everyone. We draw strength from our differences. From background and perspective to collaboration and debate. We are open.”

Then came the general “wokeness” of our company culture. Emphasis was put on “providing opportunities instead of focusing on qualifications,” as stated by a supporting leader in our market while promotion selections were being considered and made. Apple values diversity and inclusion as long as it fits their narrative. I am of the belief that everyone should be treated equal regardless of race, religion, or gender and all should be given an equal opportunity based solely on their qualifications.

Privacy was a cornerstone in a not-too-distant past at Apple, but they decided to do what was once the antithesis of the company, invade user privacy. They decided that personal privacy was not worth protecting in the name of human trafficking. While this is a noble cause, I would be more impressed with Apple coming out publicly with statements and commitments to organizations to drive this cause that effects millions of people around the globe. This felt like a lame attempt to gain data under the guise of a true human crisis. Apparently I was not alone, the backlash was fierce, and Apple supposedly rescinded the effort.

Lastly, my personal and frankly your personal, health information and vaccination status is no one’s business other than your own. Do not ask me to consent to an “anonymous” survey then go on to state in fine print that the data could be used to identify me for health purposes. My health and well-being is my business and has nothing to do with me reporting to my position, so stop asking.

It seems that you are so concerned with everyone’s safety from Covid, but you sit in your ivory towers in Silicon Valley while you herd the retail workers to the stores to encounter hundreds of customers daily. Initially employees were to report in Cupertino in June, but that was not safe enough. So the teams were delayed until September, but still not safe. October was the new reporting date, still not safe. Currently, teams are told they are to report January 2022 due to Covid concerns. However, your retail store employees have worked alongside our entire team, countless customers, and vendors since May of 2020. This contradiction is hardly consistent with concerns Apple touts. Why the discrepancy? Are the retail workers just a disposable asset?

Through all of these changes, I have become so empowered and emboldened to be my authentic self. I refuse to compromise myself, my values, and enforce what Apple has so disappointingly morphed into today. I wish you all the same strength and peace of mind to ensure that you are true yourself. I encourage you to not be anyone who you are not for the sake of anyone else. You are you, just was you were meant to be.

Best of luck to everyone, XXXX