Microsoft 'warned' Bill Gates over ‘flirtatious emails’

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was allegedly warned by executives at the tech giant over sending flirtatious emails to a female colleague back in 2008 it has emerged.

The Wall Street Journal reported that two senior bosses at the firm met with Gates after the business discovered the inappropriate messages had been sent to a mid-level member of staff, according to Sky News.

At the time, Gates allegedly didn’t deny that the conversation had taken place between himself and a female colleague but added that in hindsight they were a bad idea and therefore wouldn’t happen again.

After confronting Gates, the matter was considered closed and no further action was taken because there had not been any physical interaction between the former tech boss and the female colleague.

While Microsoft has confirmed the newspaper’s report to the Associated Press news agency, a recent statement from Gates’ private office has disputed the claims.

It read: “These claims are false, recycled rumours from sources who have no direct knowledge, and some in cases have significant conflicts of interest."

This incident that took place in 2008 comes more than 10 years before other similar claims, which prompted Microsoft to employ a law firm to investigate a letter from another female worker who stated that she had a sexual relationship with Gates that lasted several years.

A Microsoft investor has raised concerns to urge shareholders to support a new proposal that will force the firm to probe its workplace harassment policies.

Commenting on this, investor Arjuna Capital explained: “Reports of Bill Gates’ inappropriate relationships and sexual advances towards Microsoft employees have only exacerbated concerns, putting in question the culture set by top leadership, and the board’s role in holding those culpable accountable.”

Despite this, Microsoft has claimed that the investigation into its policies isn’t necessary as the company has already rolled out plans to publicly report how it is implementing policies on sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

Handling workplace romances

Romantic relationships between colleagues in the workplace has become more and more commonplace – Forbes reported that 72% of employees would engage in an office romance – with many high-profile cases previously hitting headlines.

Back in 2019 for example, Steve Easterbrook was removed from his post as chief exec at McDonald’s over “a recent consensual relationship with an employee”.

And navigating these relationships can be tricky for HR teams and employers to handle. Suzanne Staunton, employment partner at JMW Solicitors, shares one hurdle in particular: “Where a junior person is treated favourably, it can lead to other employees alleging nepotism. If a workplace relationship goes wrong, this can be difficult for the ex-couple and the employer to manage.”

But how should these relationships be handled?

Putting in place a workplace policy that explains the repercussions on relationships in the workplace would ensure employees are aware of what their behaviour could mean for their position.

Clearly detailing what behaviour is and isn’t tolerated in the professional space would also remove the likelihood of claims of harassment and would therefore help to keep staff safe in the workplace.

You can read a previous issue of Reward Strategy here where Staunton explores how employers can navigate workplace affairs.