Posted on 05/06/2005 10:58:17 AM PDT by KidGlock
Text of Steve Ballmer E-Mail to U.S. Microsoft Employees Regarding Public Policy Engagement
REDMOND, Wash. -- May 6, 2005 -- In response to widespread public interest in the company's position on anti-discrimination legislation, Microsoft Corp. today released the following text of an e-mail sent today from Steve Ballmer, CEO, to all Microsoft employees in the United States:
Date: May 6, 2005
To: All Employees of Microsoft in Puget Sound; All Employees of Microsoft in MSUS
Subject: Microsoft’s principles for public policy engagement
During the past two weeks I’ve heard from many of you with a wide range of views on the recent anti-discrimination bill in Washington State, and the larger issue of what is the appropriate role of a public corporation in public policy discussions. This input has reminded me again of what makes our company unique and why I care about it so much.
One point really stood out in all the e-mails you sent me. Regardless of where people came down on the issues, everyone expressed strong support for the company’s commitment to diversity. To me, that’s so critical. Our success depends on having a workforce that is as diverse as our customers – and on working together in a way that taps all of that diversity.
I don’t want to rehash the events that resulted in Microsoft taking a neutral position on the anti-discrimination bill in Washington State. There was a lot of confusion and miscommunication, and we are taking steps to improve our processes going forward.
To me, this situation underscores the importance of having clearly-defined principles on which we base our actions. It all boils down to trust. Even when people disagree with something that we do, they need to have confidence that we based our action on thoughtful principles, because that is how we run our business.
I said in my April 22 e-mail that we were wrestling with the question of how and when the company should engage on issues that go beyond the software industry. After thinking about this for the past two weeks, I want to share my decision with you and lay out the principles that will guide us going forward.
First and foremost, we will continue to focus our public policy activities on issues that most directly affect our business, such as Internet safety, intellectual property rights, free trade, digital inclusion and a healthy business climate.
After looking at the question from all sides, I’ve concluded that diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our legislative agenda. Since our beginning nearly 30 years ago, Microsoft has had a strong business interest in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest and most diverse workforce possible. I’m proud of Microsoft’s commitment to non-discrimination in our internal policies and benefits, but our policies can’t cover the range of housing, education, financial and similar services that our people and their partners and families need. Therefore, it’s appropriate for the company to support legislation that will promote and protect diversity in the workplace.
Accordingly, Microsoft will continue to join other leading companies in supporting federal legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation -- adding sexual orientation to the existing law that already covers race, sex, national origin, religion, age and disability. Given the importance of diversity to our business, it is appropriate for the company to endorse legislation that prohibits employment discrimination on all of these grounds. Obviously, the Washington State legislative session has concluded for this year, but if legislation similar to HB 1515 is introduced in future sessions, we will support it.
I also want to be clear about some limits to this approach. Many other countries have different political traditions for public advocacy by corporations, and I’m not prepared to involve the company in debates outside the US in such circumstances. And, based on the principles I’ve just outlined, the company should not and will not take a position on most other public policy issues, either in the US or internationally.
I respect that there will be different viewpoints. But as CEO, I am doing what I believe is right for our company as a whole.
This situation has also made me stop and think about how well we are living our values. I’m deeply encouraged by how many employees have sent me passionate e-mails about the broad respect for diversity they experience every day at Microsoft. I also heard from some employees who underscored the importance of feeling that their personal values or religious beliefs are respected by others. I’m adamant that we must do an even better job of pursuing diversity and mutual respect within Microsoft. I expect everyone at this company -- particularly managers -- to take a hard look at their personal commitment to diversity, and redouble that commitment.
The questions raised by these issues are important. At the same time, we have a lot of other important work to do. Over the next 18 months we’ll release a broader, more advanced and more exciting set of products than at any time in the company’s history. Let’s all recommit to the job ahead, using our diversity as a strength to work together creatively and with respect for each other.
Thanks.
Steve
if their resolve to make a better product is as firm as their resolve over the gay agenda, then we're in for trouble....
Too bad they're a monopoly -- we can't effectively boycott.
So, MS has a fair share of dumb-as-stumps employees?
Ohh not THAT KIND of diversity....
One wonders if they ever sacrificed either of the former two in order to advance the third...
goodness knows managers have NEVER sacrificed the best and the brightest to hire the whitest.
what a bunch of doublespeak BS.
Recreational sex has no place on a corprations bottom line.
Homosexuality is a negative to the bottom line of MS and thus a negative to the shareholders. What next, will MS have its sweedish branches have a "bring you animal sex partner to work" day? That would be "diverse".
Exactly. But when I have a good alternative, I don't buy Microsoft. But how do you do without Microsoft Office? Etc.
" personal commitment to diversity, "
WTF??
One need not wonder, they have.
I use microsoft product and can attest they never put quality programing over politically correct publicity.
To me diversity = poor productivity.
If Swedes get to bring their horses to work, I'm gonna spread the word that I've dumped Xena's Guy for the Dread Boston Salty and the Fabulous Feline Bebop Trio.
This is not really from Steve B. - this is a fake mail generated by a virus.
Upon further review whole hole.
are you sure this is a fake?
http://www.openoffice.org
It's a great alternative to MS Office.
Why not, Steve? You've opened the barn door. Be prepared to be inundated with employee e-mails on other public policy issues. (And "principles"? What principles?)
I'm sure most of the employees who support MS getting involved in politics are the same ones who dissed the Vatican for cautioning Catholic politicians on the implications of their actions.
The fascist model of business. All businesses should be legally compelled to serve societies goals as defined by government. The rights of a Business owner to choose employees define company goals and set company policy is subservient to any policy goals defined by government.
one will never know where this country would be if ALL companies did the first two and not the third.
To put this more accurately, the richest man in the world -- Bill Gates -- endorses an immoral lifestyle that is at the very root of The Culture of Death shoved down our throats by liberals and their media.
I hope Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, etc. buy a few shares of Microsoft stock expressly for the purpose of throwing a monkey wrench into the next shareholders' meeting.
Unfortunately, Apple is even deeper in the pockets of the United Wingnut Socialist Worker's Party, aka, the Democrats so it's not as if there's much of an alternative unless you're willing to get an advanced degree in computer science.
Apple is run by flaming libs. I won't support them or give them another penny for the rest of my life because of the way they managed their product lines in the late 80's and early 90's.
Microsoft has now done this. In addition, its principles routinely support causes aimed to destroy the family. Bill Gates, for example, is an enthusiastic supporter of Zero Population Growth. (Naturally, he excludes himself from efforts to reduce population).
Linux is not centralized, and though Unix developed in liberal Berkeley and has programs with names like "kill" that reflect that worldview, it has no real political affiliation precisely because of the non-centralized organization. It's "free" software, and distributors make their money off support, which is offered by many different distributors not a single central one.
principles = principals
I don't have any advanced degrees but do make my living as a sotware engineer - and a good one.
Your point is well taken, however: Linux is for people who want to use computers, not for those who want to be used.
Ping to ya.
Wonder where this leaves Catholics and folks like us in the process of converting?
Thoughts?
bumpity bumpity bump
This is the actual text of the email --- it is not a fake. I have firsthand knowledge . . . unfortunately.
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