On 30th, 2021, The Wall Street Journal posted that shareholders forced Microsoft Company to disclose sexual harassment information to the public and allow third-party investigation services to carry out the company’s sexual-related assessment. The investigation should produce a report detailing sexual harassment cases, their resolutions and information regarding the company’s executive members, including Bill Gates (Tilley, 2021). The board members had held a meeting asking Bill Gates to step down from the board of Microsoft as a way to prevent and control similar issues in the company last year. Currently, the company has not disclosed any information concerning independent investigations into the company, which remains a challenge for the company’s management.
Disclosing sensitive information concerning a company can destroy its reputation and allow the company’s rivals to find strategies to gain a competitive advantage over Microsoft. Given the first 90 days of leadership, I would detail the importance of maintaining the company’s sensitive information private and educating employees on the steps to follow in such incidents. Disclosing sexual harassment information can scare away recruits and other independent parties from working for the company, leading to low employee productivity.
Drafting a written harassment policy and engaging staff members of all levels in sexual-related education can help prevent similar incidents in Microsoft Company. The training should encompass sexual harassment disciplinary measures, communicate the anti-harassment policy, and strategies to avoid and prevent sexual harassment. Printed materials, including brochures, should be posted in strategic locations to enhance awareness of the same matter and as a reminder. Therefore, engaging staff members, including employees, in sexual harassment education is a critical strategy to eliminate sexual harassment challenges in Microsoft company and prevent future related problems.
References
Tilley, A. (2021). Microsoft shareholders force the company to disclose sexual harassment data. Wall Street Journal.