Microsoft Execs Says Supporting Gay Marriage, LGBT Equality Helps Businesses

25 Mar Microsoft Execs Says Supporting Gay Marriage, LGBT Equality Helps Businesses

Microsoft posted to its blog on its official website in support of marriage equality in the workplace. The tech giant argued businesses like Microsoft can grow better with support of marriage equality.

Micrsoft’s general counsel and Executive Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs Brad Smith detailed in the post the reasons why marriage equality is good for a company.
“Diversity and inclusion help drive our business and our bottom line,” Smith said. “Our customers literally are as diverse as the people of the world. To create technology that empowers the world, we need a workforce that reflects the diversity of the world.

Microsoft, in 2012, joined a lobby group in Washington state that supports equal-marriage legislation. Smith said Microsoft also campaigns for equal-marriage laws to be passed all over the U.S. and worldwide.
“In short, the diversity of our workforce is an important bridge to the global marketplace,” he said. “We operate in fast-moving and very competitive markets, and having access to the best talent is critical. To recruit the best talent, we need to create an environment in which everyone is welcome and valued.”
Smith said sometimes employees are assigned in other parts of the U.S. or out of the country. Once they begin work there, sometimes their laws are different in regards to marriage equality and that can cause problems for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) employees.
Smith said other countries that give immigration benefits to same sex couples such as Sweden, The Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Australia have an advantage in securing top talent and also have the benefit of a diverse workplace.
Smith concluded marriage equality as a legal right makes sense for business and for individuals. He said Microsoft is devoted to supporting marriage equality in all its buildings and locations where Microsoft has employees. He added the company will continue to support marriage equality around the world.

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