Microsoft settles California probe over worker leave for $14 million

Microsoft Corp has agreed to pay $14 million to settle a California agency’s claims that it illegally penalized workers who took medical or family-care leave, the agency said on Wednesday.

The California Civil Rights Department in filings in state court accused the tech giant of retaliating against its California-based employees who used parental, disability, pregnancy and family-care leave since 2017 by denying them raises, promotions and stock awards.