Apple CEO Tim Cook has attempted to calm employee concerns over the election of Republican Donald Trump in an internal memo.
Cook spoke of the “strong feelings” that had inevitably been produced by the aftermath of the election in the memo obtained by Buzzfeed.
He spoke of the company’s commitment to diversity and said that uncertainties would not change Apple’s direction.
He also said that employees should not let differences over the candidates they supported divide them.
“Regardless of which candidate each of us supported as individuals, the only way to move forward is to move forward together,” he wrote.
“Our company is open to all, and we celebrate the diversity of our team here in the United States and around the world — regardless of what they look like, where they come from, how they worship or who they love.
“I’ve always looked at Apple as one big family and I encourage you to reach out to your co-workers if they are feeling anxious.”
The tech world has been lukewarm on Trump. PayPal co-founder and Facebook investor Peter Thiel was a rare endorsement for Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, but other tech leaders such as lifelong Republican voter Meg Whitman chose instead to support Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
A scathing open letter on 14 July from many Silicon Valley figures slammedTrump’s candidacy, saying he would be a disaster for innovation. As well as MIT professors and former Government officials, it was signed by Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple and Josh McFarland, Vice President of Product at Twitter.
“His vision stands against the open exchange of ideas, free movement of people, and productive engagement with the outside world that is critical to our economy – and that provide the foundation for innovation and growth.”
Trump has, however, been confrontational towards Apple in particular during his campaign.
Trump called for consumers to boycott Apple products until the company gave up an unspecified “security number” that he believed they were withholding during an FBI investigation.
Earlier this year the agency was set to face Apple in a court hearing aimed at compelling the technology company to create software to allow the iPhone of Syed Rizwan Farook to be unlocked.
A judge had ordered Apple to produce a version of its operating system that would allow the FBI to bypass password protection. However, the company firmly resisted, appealing the case on the grounds that it violated the trust of customers.
Trump provided further clarification on Twitter: “I use both iPhone & Samsung. If Apple doesn’t give info to authorities on the terrorists I’ll only be using Samsung until they give info.”
He has also mooted plans to force Apple to build their iPhones in the US, as the aim to reverse the movement of manufacturing jobs to China and other countries from the USA has been a mainstay of his campaign.
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