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Microsoft received 238 discrimination and harrassment complaints since 2010

Microsoft received 238 discrimination and harrassment complaints since 2010

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Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge

Female Microsoft employees filed 238 internal complaints about gender discrimination or sexual harassment between 2010 and 2016, according to documents recently made public in an ongoing court case. Compiled by Reuters, the documents show a string of internal complaints that plaintiffs allege are the results of persistent pay discrimination issues. Microsoft’s internal review found that only one of the gender discrimination cases had merit and was “founded.”

Microsoft maintains that there is no larger pattern of discrimination, and it’s difficult to say how that number compares to competitors. (Microsoft employs over 115,000 people worldwide.) The class of plaintiffs has yet to be certified, and it’s still unclear whether the plaintiffs’ argument will find favor with the court.

Still, that defense has resulted in the disclosure of a number of significant internal documents, including organizational charts and general guidance on compensation practices. In December, the same case revealed the reported rape of a Microsoft intern by a fellow intern, who was subsequently hired by the company.

“Diversity and inclusion are critically important to Microsoft,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. “We want employees to speak up if they have concerns and we strive to make it easy for them to do so. We take all employee concerns seriously and have a fair and robust system in place to investigate employee concerns and take appropriate action when necessary.”

1:03PM ET: Updated with Microsoft statement.