Microsoft shareholder seeks report on Gates, sexual harassment

Arjuna Capital has requested a report on the ‘effectiveness of the company’s workplace sexual harassment policies’ following allegations that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates sought to have inappropriate relations with employees.

Microsoft Corp. shareholder and activist Arjuna Capital said it has introduced a resolution seeking a report on the “effectiveness of the company’s workplace sexual harassment policies” in the wake of allegations co-founder Bill Gates sought to have inappropriate relationships with employees and other claims of sexual harassment. The group, which has pressed large companies on issues such as gender and racial pay gaps, suggested the board issue a report annually that would include the results of any probes into allegations against executives, including Gates, and the measures taken to hold workers and leadership accountable. Microsoft typically schedules its annual shareholder meeting in late November or early December. “We urge Microsoft to independently investigate and confront these issues transparently, as sexual harassment and gender discrimination can harm shareholder value — resulting in higher turnover, lower productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher sick leave costs,” the group wrote in the resolution, according to an emailed copy of the text.