www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155745,00.html
Scobleizer: Microsoft Geek Blogger," came two weeks after activists accused the company of caving to pressure fro m an evangelical pastor who had threatened to launch a nationwide boycot t of the software company. "After looking at the question from a diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our le gislative agenda," Ballmer wrote.
search), the na tion's largest gay rights group, applauded Ballmer's comments. "We are proud that Microsoft did the right thing and has come down square ly on the side of fairness for all employees," Solmonese said in a state ment. "It is clear from Mr Ballmer's statement that it is a business im perative to value a diverse workforce and support public policy that rei nforces that principle." Ballmer said he would not discuss what prompted Microsoft to take a neutr al stance this year on a bill it had actively supported in the past.
search), pastor of a local church who has org anized anti-gay-marriage rallies in Seattle and Washington, DC Hutcherson could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
search) after hearing two employees testi fy in favor of a bill in the Washington state legislature that would hav e banned discrimination against gays in housing, employment and insuranc e The bill died by a single vote in the state Senate in late April. Bloggers called the company a corporate coward, and a prominent gay right s group asked for repossession of a civil rights award it bestowed on Mi crosoft four years ago. In his e-mail Friday, Ballmer said the company would continue to focus it s lobbying efforts on issues that most directly affect Microsoft, such a s Internet safety, intellectual property rights, free trade and a health y business climate. "I'm proud of Microsoft's commitment to non-discrimination in our interna l policies and benefits, but our policies can't cover the range of housi ng, education, financial and similar services that our people and their partners and families need. "Therefore, it's appropriate for the company to support legislation that will promote and protect diversity in the workplace."
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