I have provided a link below to a memo to the Microsoft Board of Directions regarding a currently ongoing review and revamp of Microsoft’s policies and practices pertaining to workplace harassment and discrimination. Microsoft provided online access to the memo. I have added some yellow highlights to a few of points. While the memo is light on detail, it does contain dates for further tasks and reports to be performed. I presume that some people might be critical of the memo for the lack of detail; however, I appreciated the fact that the memo was made available online and that it can prompt discussions. I would have to believe that other businesses and organizations, including governmental, might want to consider a possible review of their workplace harassment and discrimination policies and practices if they have not recently already done so.
A few additional comments. Probably because I also used to practice as a CPA, the use of the word “audit” without further description always gets my notice. And, although there are several references to the Board, or Board review, or reporting to the Board, a review and evaluation of how the Board handles the topic and issues might also be worthwhile. Finally, “culture” is referenced once at the end of the first paragraph – not too many years ago “culture” was regularly discussed as a Board topic but those discussions seem to have become fewer in number. It was good to see the reference to “culture” in the memo. Topics and issues such as culture, integrity, trustworthiness, and governance are important to the organization.
Here is a link to the memo with my yellow highlights on a few of the points:
Thank you for reading. Please do pass this blog and blog post and information to other people who would be interested as it is only through collaboration and sharing that great things and success are more quickly achieved.
* * * * * * *
Best to you,
David Tate, Esq. (and inactive CPA)
- Business litigation and disputes – business, breach of contract/commercial, co-owners, shareholders, investors, founders, workplace and employment, environmental, D&O, governance, boards and committees.
- Trust, estate and probate court litigation and disputes – trust, estate, probate, elder and dependent abuse, conservatorship, POA, real property, mental health and care, mental capacity, undue influence, conflicts of interest, and contentious administrations.
- Governance, boards, audit and governance committees, investigations, auditing, ESG, etc.
- Mediator and facilitating dispute resolution:
- Trust, estate, probate, conservatorship, elder and dependent abuse, etc.
- Business, breach of contract/commercial, owner, shareholder, investor, etc.
- D&O, board, audit and governance committee, accountant and CPA related.
- Other: workplace and employment, environmental, trade secret.
Remember, every case and situation is different. It is important to obtain and evaluate all of the evidence that is available, and to apply that evidence to the applicable standards and laws. You do need to consult with an attorney and other professionals about your particular situation. This post is not a solicitation for legal or other services inside of or outside of California, and, of course, this post only is a summary of information that changes from time to time, and does not apply to any particular situation or to your specific situation. So . . . you cannot rely on this post for your situation or as legal or other professional advice or representation, or as or for my opinions and views on the subject matter.
Also note – sometimes I include links to or comments about materials from other organizations or people – if I do so, it is because I believe that the materials are worthwhile reading or viewing; however, that doesn’t mean that I don’t or might not have a different view about some or even all of the subject matter or materials, or that I necessarily agree with, or agree with everything about or relating to, that organization or person, or those materials or the subject matter.
Please also subscribe to this blog and my other blog (see below), and connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter.
My two blogs are:
http://tateattorney.com – business, D&O, audit committee, governance, compliance, etc. – previously at http://auditcommitteeupdate.com
Trust, estate, conservatorship, elder and elder abuse, etc. litigation and contentious administrations http://californiaestatetrust.com
David Tate, Esq. (and inactive California CPA) – practicing only as an attorney in California.
David W. Tate, Esq. (and inactive CPA) 