What is Microsoft?
Microsoft is the world’s largest computer software seller and a major provider of cloud computing services, video games, personal computers and hardware and software for businesses. Its headquarters is in Redmond, Washington. The company was founded in 1975 by Harvard University classmates Bill Gates and Paul Allen. They began by developing a compiler for the Altair 8800, an early prototype computer.
Over the years, Microsoft has expanded its product line from a core set of computer products to include a wide range of business solutions, computer hardware and software. Its best known products are the Windows operating systems, the Office suite of productivity software and the Azure cloud platform. The company also produces the Bing search engine and offers a range of business management tools through its Dynamics CRM and LinkedIn professional networking platforms.
The company has also branched into the media and entertainment industry with its Encarta multimedia encyclopedias, TV networks (MSNBC and CNN) and the Xbox gaming console. In recent years, Microsoft has stepped up efforts to become more environmentally responsible and socially conscious. It has a goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030, meaning it will remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits. It is also investing in renewable energy and developing artificial intelligence technologies.
A number of employees have criticized the company for its treatment of employees. The company has been accused of treating its workers like a “velvet sweatshop” or “revolving door factory”, and of overworking them to the point of poor health and even long-term disability. In addition, some employees have alleged that the company has a discriminatory hiring process and has engaged in sexual harassment or other forms of mistreatment.
As a result of the controversy, Microsoft has improved its employee-friendly policies and has stepped up efforts to create a more diverse workforce. Its CEO Satya Nadella has made it a priority to promote the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as its culture of innovation and collaboration.
Microsoft employees have rated the company’s work-life balance and career growth with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5. According to AmbitionBox, HR teams at Microsoft have the highest satisfaction ratings of any department.
The Microsoft News Blog features the latest news, updates and insights from the world of Microsoft technology. From the latest Windows innovations to the evolving world of Azure, the MSFT News Blog has you covered.
