'The letter asked us to prove that the actions we are taking to improve opportunities are not illegal race-based decisions,' Microsoft's general counsel Dev Stahlkopf said. Potentially at stake are federal contracts awarded by the federal government.
In September, Microsoft agreed to pay $3 million to settle Labor Department allegations of race discrimination in hiring. Because of that agreement, Microsoft agreed to a review to ensure its hiring practices are not discriminatory, according to the letter from Craig Leen, director of the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
"Microsoft isn't perfect. Their current representation numbers show that, like many organizations, they have a long way to go to cultivating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive culture," Emerson said."But having a clear perspective and explicit strategy is an important part of achieving that outcome.
According to the most recent U.S. government data released in 2016, Black Americans make up 3% of employees in the top 75 tech firms in Silicon Valley, while they hold 24% of the jobs in non-tech firms. Black women are also represented at much higher rates in other industries consistent with their proportion of the overall U.S. workforce.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S. Labor Department Investigating Microsoft Over Its Commitment To Increase Black Representation In WorkforceOn June 23, Microsoft announced it would commit $150 million over five years to increase the diversity of its staff and invest in community education programs, including doubling the number of Black people in leadership positions at the company by 2025.
Read more »
Prosecutor reopens probe into killing of Black man shot in Oakland by officer in 2009The district attorney said a team of lawyers will re-examine the case after Oscar Grant's family called for new charges.
Read more »
Megan Thee Stallion Uses Her 'SNL' Performance to Send a Message: 'Protect Black Women'Megan Thee Stallion Uses Her SNL Performance to Send a Message: 'Protect Black Women
Read more »
'We Belong Here': Black Equestrians on Loving a Sport That Doesn't Love Them Back“I’ve learned to come off as nonthreatening as possible, whitewashing myself in a way, so that people are comfortable around me.” In the elite, predominantly white world of horseback riding, Black women face a painful set of challenges.
Read more »
Georgia man arrested for pointing gun at Black Lives Matter protestersThe individual involved has been charged with aggravated assault and reckless conduct as video footage shows the incident play out in Downtown Savannah.
Read more »