Microsoft Apologizes to Gay Employees

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 2:59pm

Amazing how healing a heartfelt amends can be.

This was circulated to Microsoft employees and the press today.

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Text of Steve Ballmer's e-mail to employees

With BC-WA--Microsoft-Gay Rights

By The Associated Press

The text of an e-mail Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sent employees on Friday:

"During the past two weeks I've heard from many of you with a wide range of views on the recent anti-discrimination bill in Washington state, and the larger issue of what is the appropriate role of a public corporation in public policy discussions. This input has reminded me again of what makes our company unique and why I care about it so much.

One point really stood out in all the e-mails you sent me. Regardless of where people came down on the issues, everyone expressed strong support for the company's commitment to diversity. To me, that's so critical. Our success depends on having a workforce that is as diverse as our customers -- and on working together in a way that taps all of that diversity.

I don't want to rehash the events that resulted in Microsoft taking a neutral position on the anti-discrimination bill in Washington state. There was a lot of confusion and miscommunication, and we are taking steps to improve our processes going forward.

To me, this situation underscores the importance of having clearly-defined principles on which we base our actions. It all boils down to trust. Even when people disagree with something that we do, they need to have confidence that we based our action on thoughtful principles, because that is how we run our business.

I said in my April 22 email that we were wrestling with the question of how and when the company should engage on issues that go beyond the software industry. After thinking about this for the past two weeks, I want to share my decision with you and lay out the principles that will guide us going forward.

First and foremost, we will continue to focus our public policy activities on issues that most directly affect our business, such as Internet safety, intellectual property rights, free trade, digital inclusion and a healthy business climate.

After looking at the question from all sides, I've concluded that diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our legislative agenda. Since our beginning nearly 30 years ago, Microsoft has had a strong business interest in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest and most diverse workforce possible. I'm proud of Microsoft's commitment to non-discrimination in our internal policies and benefits, but our policies can't cover the range of housing, education, financial and similar services that our people and their partners and families need. Therefore, it's appropriate for the company to support legislation that will promote and protect diversity in the workplace.

Accordingly, Microsoft will continue to join other leading companies in supporting federal legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation -- adding sexual orientation to the existing law that already covers race, sex, national origin, religion, age and disability. Given the importance of diversity to our business, it is appropriate for the company to endorse legislation that prohibits employment discrimination on all of these grounds. Obviously, the Washington state legislative session has concluded for this year, but if legislation similar to HB 1515 is introduced in future sessions, we will support it.

I also want to be clear about some limits to this approach. Many other countries have different political traditions for public advocacy by corporations, and I'm not prepared to involve the company in debates outside the US in such circumstances. And, based on the principles I've just outlined, the company should not and will not take a position on most other public policy issues, either in the U.S. or internationally.

I respect that there will be different viewpoints. But as CEO, I am doing what I believe is right for our company as a whole.

This situation has also made me stop and think about how well we are living our values. I'm deeply encouraged by how many employees have sent me passionate emails about the broad respect for diversity they experience every day at Microsoft. I also heard from some employees who underscored the importance of feeling that their personal values or religious beliefs are respected by others. I'm adamant that we must do an even better job of pursuing diversity and mutual respect within Microsoft. I expect everyone at this company -- particularly managers -- to take a hard look at their personal commitment to diversity, and redouble that commitment.

The questions raised by these issues are important. At the same time, we have a lot of other important work to do. Over the next 18 months we'll release a broader, more advanced and more exciting set of products than at any time in the company's history. Let's all recommit to the job ahead, using our diversity as a strength to work together creatively and with respect for each other.

Thanks.

Steve"

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updated On: 5/6/05 at 02:59 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:02pm

Here's the article from cNet
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Microsoft reverses position on gay rights

By John Borland
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+reverses+position+on+gay+rights/2100-1014_3-5697935.html

After weeks of controversy over the issue, Microsoft has decided to return to a position of legislative support for gay and lesbian rights, at both the state and federal levels.

In a letter to employees, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said on Friday that the company would support antidiscrimination legislation, after backing off support for a Washington state bill on the issue last month.

"After looking at the question from all sides, I’ve concluded that diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our legislative agenda," Ballmer wrote in the e-mail. "I respect that there will be different viewpoints. But as CEO, I am doing what I believe is right for our company as a whole."

The issue exploded into public consciousness several weeks ago after Seattle newspaper The Stranger reported that Microsoft had backed off support for a state antidiscrimination bill after being contacted by a conservative local pastor.

That pastor, a leader in conservative religious organizations' fight against gay marriage and nondiscrimination legislation, said he had threatened Microsoft with a boycott of the company's products if it supported the state bill. Microsoft executives later said their position on the bill was not related to the pastor's pressure, but connected to a broader company policy of avoiding taking divisive positions on "social issues."

The Washington bill subsequently failed by a single vote. Gay and lesbian organizations, which previously had applauded the company's internal policies of support for nondiscrimination, criticized the company widely over the situation. At least one prominent gay employee resigned this week from the company, according to The Stranger.
Disharmony on your cell phone

In his Friday e-mail, Ballmer said the company would join other companies in supporting federal legislation barring employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. If the Washington state bill comes up in next year's legislative session, the company will support that as well, he added.

Ballmer said he was not prepared to pursue similar legislative goals overseas, where other countries have "different political traditions for public advocacy by corporations." Nor would the company take a position on most other public policy issues, aside from those such as free trade, intellectual property rights, and Internet safety which directly affect the company's business.

"It all boils down to trust," Ballmer wrote, explaining his decision to change the company's direction, and articulate a clear policy. "Even when people disagree with something that we do, they need to have confidence that we based our action on thoughtful principles, because that is how we run our business."

CNET News.com reporters Ina Fried and Alorie Gilbert contributed to this story.
Microsoft reverses position on gay rights

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:13pm

Sorry PalJoey.....this ain't an apology....it's corporate double-speak for "Maybe next year."

Working in a large Chicago based law firm I hear this type of rhetoric all the time.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:17pm

It makes a public statement, which is more than some people can manage.

[KelRel]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:18pm

NOw if only they could make software that doesn't make my computer freak out...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:27pm

Uh-oh. We're a nation that looks down on flip-floppers. I was just saying that to Jaques Chirac the other day when he got back from a meeting with his new best friend George W. Bush.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:36pm

i for one look down on flip flops. it goes back to an ugly incident where a bee somehow managed to get between my hell and the fllip flop as i was walking. you ever been stung by a dead bee?

oh and, namo, was vlad the impaler at that meeting?

Updated On: 5/6/05 at 03:36 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:41pm

You mean my masseur or a different Vlad?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:44pm

i assumed them to be one in the same.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:54pm

Flip flop or not, it's a step in the right direction... after they took several steps in the wrong one. Before celebrating too much, I'll wait until next year's legislative session and see if he sticks to his word.