Benzinga | Dec 1, 2021 07:16AM EST

Microsoft Investors Exert Pressure Over Sexual Misconduct Policies

Microsoft Corp's (NASDAQ:MSFT) shareholders have firmly backed a protest vote calling on the technology company to reveal more about its handling of sexual harassment claims.

* The call provoked by Arjuna Capital amounted to a rare rebellion at Microsoft's annual shareholder meeting, with 78% of those voting against management.

* The protest drew an immediate promise from the company of more transparency.

* The protest especially assumes significance in the shadow of recent cases and the revelation that co-founder Bill Gates had a relationship with an employee, Financial Times reports

* Microsoft refused "independent investigations and public reporting on the executive-level probe into Mr. Gates," Bloomberg reports.

* Microsoft agreed to bring in a third party to do an independent assessment.

* Microsoft agreed to a human rights review on some government deals and let more repair shops fix its devices.

* Microsoft also agreed to provide more data on pay gap issues next year.

* Related Content: Why Did Bill Gates Leave Microsoft Board? Reportedly, A Probe Into A Prior Affair

* Price Action: MSFT shares traded higher by 1.91% at $336.89 in the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.