Microsoft Investors Exert Pressure Over Sexual Misconduct Policies

Microsoft Corp's MSFT shareholders have firmly backed a protest vote calling on the technology company to reveal more about its handling of sexual harassment claims.

• The call provoked by Arjuna Capital amounted to a rare rebellion at Microsoft's annual shareholder meeting, with 78% of those voting against management. 
• The protest drew an immediate promise from the company of more transparency. 
• The protest especially assumes significance in the shadow of recent cases and the revelation that co-founder Bill Gates had a relationship with an employee, Financial Times reports
• Microsoft refused "independent investigations and public reporting on the executive-level probe into Mr. Gates," Bloomberg reports.
• Microsoft agreed to bring in a third party to do an independent assessment. 
• Microsoft agreed to a human rights review on some government deals and let more repair shops fix its devices. 
• Microsoft also agreed to provide more data on pay gap issues next year. 
• Related Content: Why Did Bill Gates Leave Microsoft Board? Reportedly, A Probe Into A Prior Affair
• Price Action: MSFT shares traded higher by 1.91% at $336.89 in the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.