Microsoft announced that it will be adjusting its policies regarding sexual harassment and gender discrimination. This comes after hiring ArentFox Schiff, who evaluated the company's practices and received concerns regarding the environment in the workplace.
(Photo : Tim Heitman/Getty Images for BIG3)
FRISCO, TEXAS - JULY 03: The Microsoft logo on the screen prior to games in BIG3 Week Three at Comerica Center on July 03, 2022 in Frisco, Texas.
Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policies
Based on a report from The Verge, law firm ArentFox Schiff laid out a 50-page report to Microsoft. These indicates recommendations, adjustments, and new inclusions for the sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies of the company. This was the company's response after receiving several concerns and allegations from its employees regarding how toxic the workplace is, following the confirmation of former Chief Executive Officer Bill Gates on having an affair with a female employee.
As per the report of ArentFox, the former CEO's relationship with an employee (despite being married during that time) is one of the factors why the company needs to revise its policies, as this may bring harm to both employees and executive chiefs. It was also revealed that Gates was encouraged by the board members to leave the company before the investigation. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Gates confirmed that the relationship was consensual.
Changes and Adjustments
In November 2021, the shareholders of Microsoft passed a non-binding resolution that asks for an internal review of its policies and practices, after receiving complaints from its employees. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella stated in a blog post, "The board of directors and our senior leaders are fully committed to this implementation plan as we continually work to close the gap between our espoused culture and the lived experience of our employees."
Microsoft will be reminding its senior leadership to attend the required harassment training, as part of the changes in the policies. While the survey is considered to be revised with additional questions regarding the experiences of its employees with harassment.
The company also stated in a blog post that all of the recommendations of the law firm will be addressed by June 30th, which will be including an annual review for claims and allegations regarding harassment. Meanwhile, the inaugural report will be coming on December 1st.
Also Read: Microsoft Windows 11 Rolls Out iCloud Photos Integration: Here's How it Works
Complaints from Employees
Aside from the recommendations for the policies, the report also includes the incidents and allegations regarding harassment and discrimination in the company. They have found that most complaints came from the sales and engineering groups, with 721 complaints received by the company in the span of 3 years (453 for gender discrimination reports, 210 for sexual harassment, and 58 for gender harassment). This includes a complaint from an employee in 2019 that says that she was harassed and subjected by Gates while working, which he admitted after the meetings but alleged was consensual.
Bloomberg also reported that Arentfox also indicated the investigations for the two Corporate Vice Presidents Tom Keane and Alex Kipman, who were involved in bullying and abusing their employees verbally. The workers revealed that the attitude that they are presenting in the workplace was tolerated by the company as it protects senior executives from having misconduct violations.
Related Article: Bill Gates Resignation Allegedly Came Before Investigation Into Relationship with Microsoft Employee Finished
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Written by Inno Flores
