Bill Gates was 'warned over inappropriate emails' to female staffer

New York: Microsoft has confirmed the legitimacy of a Wall Street Journal report which has revealed that former Microsoft CEO and billionaire Bill Gates had been warned in 2008 over a series of inappropriate and flirtatious emails sent to a female staffer.

Gates left Microsoft completely in 2020 after his affair with a coworker 20 years ago was revealed. Following this, Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May. With regards to the 2008 incident, the company became aware of the emails and executives of the group told Gates that they were inappropriate and had to stop. However, no action was taken otherwise, even after Gates had admitted to the facts. The Wall Street Journal reported that he had also promised not to do it again.

This troubling news has also reinforced one Microsoft investor's request to institute an investigation into workplace harassment at Microsoft. Reports of Bill Gates' inappropriate relationships and sexual advances towards Microsoft employees have only exacerbated concerns, putting in question the culture set by top leadership, and the board's role holding those culpable accountable says the proposal from Arjuna Capital on the agenda of Microsoft's annual shareholder meeting next month.

"Microsoft has nothing to share beyond confirming the accuracy of the WSJ report," a spokesman for the IT company told AFP on Monday.