Microsoft Stock Rises Amid Controversy Over Employee Protests

Microsoft shares edged higher in Monday afternoon trading following controversial remarks by President Brad Smith addressing employee protests. The tech giant's leadership took a hardline stance against demonstrators who occupied buildings and barricaded offices, resulting in additional terminations.

Smith's blunt declaration—'Anybody smart enough to work here knows storming buildings means losing your job'—underscored Microsoft's zero-tolerance approach to workplace disruptions. The protests, which involved trespassing and barricading with company furniture, were dismissed as moot given existing policies prohibiting misuse of Microsoft services for mass surveillance.

Investors appeared unfazed by the internal strife, focusing instead on Microsoft's proactive measures. The company is implementing new whistleblower channels for policy violations, reinforcing its governance framework during a period of heightened scrutiny over tech ethics.