Microsoft will overhaul hiring processes after DOJ investigates discrimination cases

After Microsoft faced charges that it was discriminating against job applicants who were not U.S. citizens, a settlement has finally been reached in the U.S. Justice Department. Microsoft will now overhaul some of its hiring processes, ensuring that it properly follows all American laws (via NBC.)

At the center of the issue is the fact that Microsoft asked six lawful permanent residents to show their permanent resident cards to show permission to work without employer sponsorship. This apparently violates U.S. law, as Microsoft asked these applicants for unnecessary immigration documents when not required.  Microsoft issued the following statement on the matter.

We hire and confirm employment eligibility for tens of thousands of people, and a handful were mistakenly asked for extra information or documentation. We appreciate we need to prevent these mistakes and have worked to address these issues and improve our internal processes as part of our commitment to compliance.

Even with this situation, Microsoft has been a champion for diversity in the workplace. It has a website dedicated to global diversity and inclusion, and a report is available to track the company’s progress in increasing diversity and fostering inclusion. When former U.S. President Donald J Trump attempted to end DACA, an Obama-era United States government program known for protecting hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants known as DREAMERS, Microsoft was highly against the move.