Microsoft's approach to employee complaint handling and conflict resolution

Employee Relations

Is there a complaint system in this organization? If so, please describe it.

The Microsoft Corporation does not advertise that it has a formal complaint system within its organizational structure. Rather, it stresses how the Microsoft "campus" (as opposed to workplace) values community and diversity. "Microsoft has established a number of initiatives to promote and integrate diversity at every level within our organization, and to demonstrate this commitment locally, nationally, and globally" ("Pride in Diversity: An Overview," 2006, Microsoft Website).

Harmony, rather than conflict are at the essence of the Microsoft ethos. Thus, there is an attempt to keep conflict at a minimum, through diversity education, employee team-building efforts in all of the company's various locations, and by stressing the need to work together to further the innovative efforts of the company as opposed to having a formal system for employees to air their grievances, which suggests that conflicts take place frequently.

Whether there is a complaint system or not, please analyze how employee complaints are handled in this organization.