Microsoft UK settles sex harassment case

Microsoft paid almost $1.6 million to silence a female executive who was passed over for management positions and says she was a victim of sexual harassment, according to the The Telegraph.

Natalie Ayres, a Microsoft executive who had risen through the ranks after 15 years with the company, was reportedly in line to take over as managing director of Microsoft UK when the position opened up in 2006.

The Telegraph reports that Ayres was considered an “outstanding candidate,” but the position was given to Gorden Frazer, a general manager at Microsoft South Africa, before she had even finished the interview loop.

The UK newspaper didn’t reveal its sources who called Microsoft a “boys’ club” and said “The only way to progress beyond a certain point is to become a male in female clothing.” Women hit a glass ceiling a senior level within the company, the source added.

Microsofties who work in Redmond and around the Seattle area? What’s your experience? Is Microsoft US a “boys’ club” too?

Over the past few months, The Telegraph has described some of the “debauchery” from Microsoft UK staff parties that involved unwanted sexual advances, touching, flirting and other harassment fuelled by alcohol.

Microsoft has not commented on the case, nor the reported settlement. A statement from the company also says, “Microsoft places great importance on the core values of diversity and inclusiveness.”