Microsoft settles case on protected leave for California employees [Video]

Microsoft is paying $14.4 million to settle a case in California over allegations the company retaliated against employees who had taken legally protected time off.

California’s Civil Rights Department announced the proposed settlement on Wednesday. After approval by a state judge, almost all of the money will go to California workers who took parental leave, family care-taking leave or disability leave from 2017 to the present, and who decide to participate in the settlement.

“Because Microsoft workers who use or will use protected leave are disproportionately women and people with disabilities, Microsoft’s challenged policies and practices also have a discriminatory adverse impact based on sex and disability that Microsoft cannot justify based on business necessity,” the state agency said.

According to the complaint, Microsoft doesn’t do enough to stop managers from considering protected leave when assessing an employee’s “impact,” a factor that’s involved in the calculation of annual bonuses, promotions, stock awards and merit increases.

Microsoft, which is based …