Microsoft announces policy and practice changes

Microsoft announces policy and practice changes

It is a result of the company's 'listen first' approach that allows it to 'identify what works, what does not, and how best to adjust'

Microsoft has announced four new employee workforce initiatives, including changes to the US-based policies and practices. These are related to non-compete clause enforcement, confidentiality agreements in dispute resolutions, wage transparency across hiring practices, and the initiation of a civil rights audit.

The initiatives are aimed at empowering employee mobility, fostering a safe space for concerns, increasing pay transparency, and conducting a civil rights audit.

Microsoft now no longer plans to enforce non-compete clauses in the US. Additionally, it plans to eliminate from the US settlement and separation agreements' confidential language, prohibiting workers from disclosing alleged conduct of illegal discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual assault, or wage and hour violations at the workplace.

The multinational company also hopes to increase pay transparency by publicly disclosing the salary ranges for hiring. This could happen by January 2023. It is committed to a civil rights audit of workforce policies from next year.

Regarding the new drive, Microsoft said, "We believe these workforce initiatives are positive changes for our employees and reflect our fundamental principle that people are the heart and soul of our company and our number one priority."