A new report has emerged that paints a damning picture of life at Microsoft, with a number of women employed by the company involved in an email chain that discusses and highlights pervasive and regular sexual harassment and sexism in the workplace.
The email chain, which was forwarded to Quartz, has apparently been verified by two Microsoft employees, and it details a number of incidents.
The conversation started between two colleagues discussing the potential for advancement within the company after six years in the same role. Thereafter things spiraled and the email chain grew with employees sharing a number of anecdotal stories that - when viewed together - highlight a company culture where sexism and discrimination appear to be rife.
One example apparently cited in the chain saw one woman asked to sit on another colleague's lap during a meeting, with this happening in front of an HR rep. Another said that she had been called a "b****" at work on more than one occasion, and pointed out that in subsequent roundtable discussions, nearly every woman asked had experienced the same treatment.
Another situation mentioned in the report highlights an incident where one woman, while on a work trip, was approached by an employee from a partner company who "threatened to kill her if she did not perform implied sexual acts." Apparently, her manager dismissed the incident as "just flirting" and added that she "should just get over it." Because the individual in question was not a Microsoft employee, it appears that no further action was taken.
Microsoft's senior HR officer, Kathleen Hogan, joined the discussion on March 29 (over a week after it started) and told those affected to reach out directly so specific incidents could be investigated.
"I discussed this thread with the [senior leadership team] today. We are appalled and sad to hear about these experiences. It is very painful to hear these stories and to know that anyone is facing such behavior at Microsoft. We must do better," Hogan stated. "I would like to offer to anyone who has had such demeaning experiences including those who felt were dismissed by management or HR to email me directly. I will personally look into the situation with my team."
In the thread, some Microsoft employees welcomed the discussion and found it empowering that their voices were finally being heard.
"This thread has pulled the scab off a festering wound. The collective anger and frustration is palpable. A wide audience is now listening. And you know what? I'm good with that," one employee wrote.