IBM shareholders voice concerns

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Let's spread a bit of that wrath around, shall we?

http://www.corporatewatch.org/profiles/microsoft/microsoft3.htm

Quote from their Microsoft section:

"Employees

"As of June 2003, the company employed approximately 55,000 people in 85 countries and regions. Of these, only 26% are female53. 'None of the company's employees is subject to collective bargaining agreements,' declared Microsoft in 2001. Despite this, 'the Company believes relations with its employees are excellent54.' In the early 90s, Microsoft admitted to the IRS that it had misclassified a number of employees as temp workers when they should have been cited as full-time workers. This led a group of temporary workers, angered over Microsoft's indefinite use of their services during the 90s, to file a class-action lawsuit against the company on the grounds that it was withholding full-time benefits and pay while working them like full-time employees. The dispute ended in 2002 with Microsoft agreeing to pay more than $97 million in damages and legal fees55. While Microsoft was required to change the way it managed its temporary employees, the lawsuit did not stop the company from continuing its dependence on contractors. According to the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), Microsoft still employs more than 3,000 contingent staffers in its domestic workforce who are the cogs in Microsoft?s software machine. Because the company wants to make the distinction between temps and full-time employees clear to the IRS and possible class action claimants, these contractors are given fewer benefits than their free-wheeling predecessors. They aren't allowed to use employee discounts for products they help to design. They aren?t invited to company parties. They don?t get promotional swag. A system of blue and orange badges makes sure full time Microsofties know who the ingroup is. To protect itself from claims that it is employing workers indefinitely with no benefits, the company introduced a policy that requires temporary workers to be terminated after 365 days of service at the company. Following a full year of service, contractors must wait 100 days before they can return for another assignment at Microsoft. This is generally paid for by the State of Washington.

"Meanwhile, Microsoft is looking to India and its 'two for the price of one' worker deals. Ability to hire and fire easily also plays a part. Contractors can be hired for 'very short engagements,' and it is simple to 'add and subtract resources for ramp-ups and ramp-downs,' said the senior Vice President for the Windows division, Brian Valentine. Having substantial Indian operations would allow the total work day to be extended to '16-18 hours,' he added56.

* * * * * *

So, you see--you don't even have to have your job outsourced by Microsoft to be treated like dirt. You can work in Redmond and be treated like dirt. Imagine the convenience!

On the whole, I'd chose employment with IBM any day of the week (and twice on Sundays) than with Microsoft. At least IBM employees have an organization to express their concerns.

Posted by: Yen_z   Posted on: 04/27/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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