[ad_1]
Investors urged Microsoft on Wednesday to investigate the sexual harassment allegations following recent allegations against former CEO Bill Gates.
In a press release sent to Newsweek, investment management firm Arjuna Capital said: “Following recent allegations of workplace sexual misconduct by former CEO Bill Gates, Microsoft’s shareholders meeting in December 2021 will face a proxy resolution.
Arjuna Capital Managing Partner Natasha Lamb said in the press release: “Microsoft is under intense public scrutiny over numerous allegations of sexual harassment and an alleged failure to address them. adequate and transparent manner.
Lamb continued, “Reports of Bill Gates’ inappropriate relationships and alleged sexual advances towards Microsoft employees have only exacerbated concerns, calling into question the culture established by senior leaders and the role of the Board of Directors. administration to hold these culprits accountable. Investors fear that Microsoft is cultivating systemic sexual harassment, jeopardizing the company’s ability to attract and retain talent. “
Microsoft signage can be seen on March 13, 2020 in New York City. Microsoft co-founder and former CEO Bill Gates leaves Microsoft board to spend more time at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Jeenah Moon / Getty
According to the resolution released by Arjuna Capital, 238 Microsoft employees filed a class action lawsuit in 2012, including allegations of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. The resolution also notes that in 2019, several women claimed that Microsoft “ignored” these complaints in a company-wide messaging chain.
“We urge Microsoft to independently investigate and deal with these issues in a transparent manner, as sexual harassment and gender discrimination can adversely affect shareholder value, resulting in increased revenue, decreased productivity, increased absenteeism and higher sick leave costs, ”says the resolution.
Arjuna Capital’s announcement on Wednesday comes amid reports of allegations of sexual harassment against Gates while he was CEO of Microsoft.
In May, the Wall Street Journal reported that a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the software company learned in 2019 that Gates “was seeking an intimate relationship with a company employee in 2000.”
A spokesperson for Gates told the WSJ: “Almost 20 years ago there was a case that ended amicably… Gates’ decision to leave the board was not in no way related to this matter. “
A spokesperson for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said in May, according to the Associated Press, that “the foundation has never received any formal complaints about Bill Gates.”
The resolution released by Arjuna Capital calls on Microsoft’s board of directors to “publish a transparency report (at a reasonable cost, omitting confidential or inside information) to shareholders evaluating the effectiveness of the company’s policies on sexual harassment in the workplace, including the results of any comprehensive and independent audit / investigations, analysis of policies and practices, and commitments to create a safe and inclusive work environment. “
Newsweek has contacted Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
[ad_2]
picture credit