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Loading ...Gay worker sues Microsoft for discrimination
03.24.2009 3:51pm EDT
(London) A British worker for Microsoft is suing the computer giant in London, alleging discrimination.
Jamie Durrant, 38, claims in his complaint to the labor tribunal that the company failed to take action despite numerous complaints he was being harassed by fellow workers.Durrant, who earned about $100,000 a year designing video games for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, claims emails were circulated among employees with headings including “I’m Jim and I’m Gay,” “Me and My Favorite Men” and “Ladies Are Bad.”
One, in which he was described as “Fag Boy Jim,” was posted on the wall in the lunchroom at the Reading operation.
In his complaint, Durrant said that he is being treated for depression and has not been able to work for seven months because of the harassment.
He said that when he brought the situation to the attention of Microsoft Human Resources in the UK, he was not taken seriously. The complaint to the tribunal said that he was told by the HR department that all staff would be sent an email staff reminding them of “how to behave responsibly in a diverse office.”
Months later, when he asked why the email was never sent, he was told Microsoft UK would have to create a diversity policy first. Durrant claims that has never happened.
“This was not the first time there was homophobic content in the office,” he said. “Previously, I had tried to deal with it myself. This time, I did not feel that I could.”
The complaint seeks about $90,000 in damages.
“I feel I should be compensated for the stress that this whole complaint procedure has placed on me, the amount of effort and time I have put into trying to get this resolved and acknowledgment that they have done nothing whilst the homophobic harassment continued, making my workplace uncomfortable and unpleasant,” he told The Telegraph newspaper.
Microsoft denies discriminating on the ground of sexual orientation and said it will vigorously contest Durrant’s claims.
Poor firefighters; sounds so utterly tramatic. lol! These guys need to walk in a gay male’ shoes; than i would take them seriously…The case is frivolous and should be thrown out of court. Jerry
Considering the nature of the complaint and his salary he is not asking for much…they should give it to him and create a discrimination policy!!
The amount he is requesting seems low, but one must remember that, in most countries, one does not necessarily win the lottery when one wins a court case.
Actual, but not punitive damages may be all that can be awarded.
>Microsoft is one of the MOST homophobic companies in the world!!
1) This contradicts what I’ve read. I’ve heard they’re pretty good about our issues. The Fundies tried to boycott them to get them to give up protections for their gay employees, and they didn’t cave. 2) Your “proof” has nothing to do with gay issues (though I agree about not liking the software or the business practices that put them in a dominant position in the market).
iam 18 years old i am discriminated like that in my school i tell them ya iam gay so what it is not going to change so just get over it. I think that he also should go for more because that is messed up. people have no right to do that to people.
What I find Ironic, is that a gay man is the father of modern computer science, hence the computer, his name is Alan Turing, Google his name and it says he is the father of the computer.
Alan Turing broke the German Enigma Code, by inventing a computer that broke the code, his machine was responsible for ending WW2 two years early, saving approximately 13 million peoples lives, enabled our solders to come home early, not to mention their offspring and their offshoots.
The greatest hero in recorded history was a gay man, who is the father of the modern
computer.
I would send that in emails around the offices, and tell them all, if it wasn’t for a gay man they wouldn’t even have a job!
Yeah, hit them wear it hurts: in the purse. Go for it!
http://stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow.wordpress.com/
Microsoft is one of the MOST homophobic companies in the world!! Lousy software, bad attitudes and general corporate politics=recipe for financial disaster! Apple will smoke these bigots and HOPEFULLY will run Gates and his bigot cartel right into the ground where they belong! Good riddance Gates!
I would nail those bitches for at least $10,000,000.00. That would certainly put out the message!!
I find it funny that you are advertising boy scouts on your site. I would hope you are aware of there status?
$90,000???? That’s all! Come on!! Go for it…it’s Microsoft. Your job was worth 100,000 for goodness sake