Lawyers representing a group of current and former employees of
Microsoft are today set to file a $5bn (£3.4bn) legal action
against the software giant, naming its chairman Bill Gates, for
alleged employment discrimination.
A complaint on behalf of seven employees is due to be lodged
later today. It will allege discrimination by the company in
"evaluations, compensation, promotions, wrongful termination and
retaliation". The case - a class action under US law - represents
the escalation of an existing lawsuit filed by former Microsoft
employee Rahn Jackson.
Microsoft said its 36,000-strong workforce contained 22.2 per
cent from ethnic minorities, up from 16.8 per cent in 1997.
Microsoft spokesman Dean Katz told Associated Press: "Microsoft
does not tolerate discrimination in any of its employment practices
and we are committed to treating all our employees fairly."
