Microsoft opens a review of its sexual harassment policies.

Microsoft, in response to pressure from shareholders, has hired a law firm to review its policy on sexual harassment and sexual harassment and to review the 2019 board inquiry by the same founder Bill Gates. Arent Fox LLP's efforts will include a summary of the board's previous investigation into allegations against Gates, as well as the results of any harassment investigation since 2019 against other Microsoft board members or senior officials, the company said in a statement Thursday. . proclamation. Arent Fox LLP's efforts will include a summary of the board's previous investigation into allegations against Gates, as well as the results of any harassment investigation since 2019 against other Microsoft board members or senior officials, the company said in a statement Thursday. . proclamation.

According to the Wall Street Journal, as part of the study, Arent Fox will present his findings to senior executives and members of Microsoft's board of directors for recommendations on improving business culture. The review will also examine how the company handled previous reports of management misconduct and harassment, including the 2019 Gates investigation. This review will present a clear report on the results of any investigation into sexual harassment of executives and executives in recent years, including allegations that a board committee inquiry launched in 2019 affected Bill Gates, the board said in a statement.

Following the review, the board will release a detailed opening report for employees, shareholders, and the public this spring. This will include a review of the issues raised by employees in the 2019 Help email series, steps the company is taking to address these issues and other measures that can further strengthen these safety measures. The report "will lead to the release of a public report that will review the company's policies on sexual harassment and harassment, training, and related policies," Microsoft said in its release.

As part of that, the final report will summarize the results of a sexual harassment investigation by company executives and the board of directors, including former chief executive Bill Gates. It will also include a review of Microsoft's previous investigation into allegations against the company's founder and former CEO Bill Gates. However, this new review is not expected to result in Gates ’review or disclosure of new information about his conduct as CEO.

Commitment to doing good is rare, said former SEC Commissioner Joseph Grundfest, professor of economics and law at Stanford University and senior lecturer at the Rock Center for Corporate Governance, who was informed by Microsoft of the program ahead of Thursday afternoon's announcement. We are committed to reviewing not only the report but also learning from the assessment so that we can continue to improve our knowledge of the staff. The review will reflect Microsoft's attitude toward the prosecution and actions of other companies, in addition to what is required of a shareholders' proposal led by Arjuna Capital.

Microsoft urged shareholders to reject the December report on the company's handling of complaints of harassment and discrimination. But Massachusetts-based investment company Arjuna Capital, after the proposal, said it was happy with the way the company responded with a winning vote. But Massachusetts-based investment company Arjuna Capital, after the proposal, said it was happy with the way the company responded with a winning vote.

The review will be conducted by Arent Fox LLP based in Washington, D.C., who has been appointed by the board of directors for his knowledge of allegations of sexual harassment and limited company information in the past. A company based in Redmond, Washington said its public report would include a review of the effectiveness of its anti-bullying policies and discrimination.

The board report will also address allegations of harassment and discrimination of female employees in the 2019 emails and company responses. In addition to the Gates case and emails, the shareholders' proposal refers to a 2012 lawsuit filed by Microsoft in which 238 employees were accused of sexual harassment. Microsoft's staff team also elaborated on general complaints about the company's handling of sexual harassment and discrimination in the 2019 emails, another topic the company promised to investigate on Thursday.

At the company's 2021 annual conference, shareholders passed a resolution reviewing Microsoft policies set out for its employees to protect them from unwanted harassment and sexual harassment. The decision was made with the support of about 78 percent of Microsoft shareholders.

Only five shareholders' proposals were accepted. The decision is intended to report on the effectiveness of the company's policy on sexual harassment in the workplace as a result of allegations of sexual harassment, including allegations that Gates attempted to form inappropriate relationships with employees.

Microsoft's Board of Directors instructs the company to hire a third party to review discriminatory policies and procedures, saying it will "consider the full extent" of the shareholder's decision. the company's annual general meeting in November. Microsoft's board of directors said on Thursday it would review software vendors' policy on sexual harassment and release a report in the spring after shareholders approved the proposed action in November. Microsoft Board of Directors has hired a law firm to review the company's policy on sexual harassment and discrimination after years of distortion in the company.

In addition, the management team will create a launch program based on the recommendations received, Microsoft said.