Chinanews, May 23. According to the US Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced his divorce earlier this month and was accused of leaving the board of directors due to an investigation by the company for misconduct.
In response, Microsoft’s current CEO, Satya Nadella, responded that Microsoft’s corporate culture is that any employee can raise concerns, and the company will definitely investigate until the employee is satisfied.
According to reports, Nadella said: "Even if it happened 20 years ago," once someone raised it, the company would investigate. "We will not force both parties to accept arbitration."
He emphasized, “We have created an environment that allows us to truly improve Microsoft’s diverse and inclusive culture every day. I think this is a very important thing.”
The picture shows Bill Gates and his wife.
Nadella also said that Microsoft in 2021 is very different from Microsoft in 2000. The daily experience of each Microsoft employee is a very important thing and a major priority for the company.
He mentioned that since 2006, the company has a policy prohibiting improper behavior among executives.
After Gates and Melinda announced the end of their 27-year marriage, Gates was revealed to have pursued female employees at Microsoft and the couple’s charitable foundation.
The Wall Street Journal also stated that Microsoft began investigating a “worry” in 2019 involving Gates’ relationship with a company employee 20 years ago.
Microsoft said in a statement, “Microsoft received concerns in the second half of 2019 about Bill Gates seeking to establish an intimate relationship with a company employee. A committee of the board of directors reviewed this concern and worked with an external law firm. A thorough investigation was conducted with assistance."
A person familiar with the matter said that during the investigation, some members of Microsoft's board of directors believed that Gates was no longer suitable to serve as a director of the company.
Another person familiar with the matter said that Gates announced his resignation before the board's investigation was completed and a decision was made.
In March 2020, Gates announced that he would leave Microsoft's board of directors and devote more time to charity, but he will continue to maintain "contact" with Microsoft's current CEO Nadella.
In response, the Wall Street Journal reported on May 18 that Gates’ spokesperson stated in a statement that “there was an extramarital affair that ended in a friendly manner nearly 20 years ago.” The statement also said, “Bill faded out of the board of directors. The decision has nothing to do with this matter. In fact, he expressed interest in spending more time on philanthropy a few years ago." A Gates spokesperson said that any statement about "improper treatment of employees is untrue." of".