The Labor Department has opened a whistle-blower investigation into Apple, a department spokeswoman said ... , adding to a litany of recent charges made to federal and state agencies about the company by current and former employees.

... Ashley Gjovik, a former employee who has been outspoken about misconduct at Apple, said she had filed the complaint “to ensure Apple knows they cannot get away with retaliating against me for exercising my federally and state-protected rights.”

Ms. Gjovik accused Apple of suspending her and then firing her in September in retaliation for reporting workplace health concerns at a Sunnyvale, Calif., office, and for complaining about the issue to the Environmental Protection Agency ... .

... Apple ... reiterated its previous statement about workers’ labor complaints, which said it is “deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive, inclusive workplace” and that it investigates concerns and does not comment on specific employees.