Microsoft in hot water over exec's comments on Japan

Microsoft is again in the middle of a controversy, this time for an alleged statement by one of its senior executives who said he had "zero pity" for victims of the magnitude-9 quake and tsunami that hit Japan earlier this year. UK's The Telegraph reported the executive, a vice president in the company, allegedly made the comment in April, barely a month after the quake and tsunami that had killed some 18,000 people. "I would have zero pity for Japan. I would push them right under the bus and create another tsunami," the Telegraph cited filings that quoted the executive, a vice president of the company. The report said the executive was said to have made the comments in April, just over a month after the deadly quake and tsunami. It added the filings described the executive as being "known throughout the company for his disparaging comments about different nationalities." On the other hand, the report said Microsoft has 2,500 employees in Japan and has come under fire for attempting to capitalize on the tsunami with a Twitter campaign offering donations each time users retweet marketing messages about its search engine, Bing. Microsoft distances itself The report said Microsoft quickly distanced itself from the remarks. "Microsoft would find any comment of this nature to be deplorable and in no way representative of our culture and values, let alone our response to this natural disaster to which the company and our employees have donated significant sums to aid relief efforts," a spokesman said. Legal row vs employee The executive's alleged remarks were exposed in a legal row between Microsoft and a current employee. The case, filed in Texas, involves claims that another executive, Michael Mercieca, sexually harassed former colleague Tracy Rummel. Rummel lodged a complaint with Microsoft, which was not upheld, but Mercieca is now reportedly suing the company, Rummel, and a second woman, Lori Aulds, for slander and discrimination. Mercieca claimed various managers at Microsoft "subjected him to isolation and ostracized him, undermined him vis-a-vis other employees and his customers and subjected him to a hostile work environment." Aulds and Rummel denied the allegations in court documents but they and Mercieca declined to comment further when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph. For its part, The Telegraph quoted Microsoft as saying it would be inappropriate to comment on the case in detail but that it was "vigorously contesting these unproven allegations." "Microsoft places great importance and focus on creating and maintaining a culture based on our core company values. These values include being open and respectful and fostering an environment that respects diversity and inclusion of all employees," it added. — TJD, GMA News