Latest news with #LathikaPai
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Constructive Dismissal': Ex-MD of Microsoft for Start Ups Lathika Pai sues the company
Lathika Pai, the former Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups in India, reportedly started legal proceedings against Microsoft India . Pai accused the company of "constructive dismissal', hostile work environment and policy violations. Initially filed in Delhi High Court, the case has now been transferred to civil court in Bengaluru. Pai claimed that she was forced to resignand also alleged that Microsoft also conducted two internal investigations into a startup initiative she led —' Highway to a 100 Unicorns '—but denied her access to complaints and transcripts from the first probe. She also claims that a key interview in April 2024 was conducted without being recorded, violating Microsoft's stated policy. Pai accused Microsoft India of hostile environment and forced resignation As per multiple online reports, Lathika Pai's lawsuit claims that she was subjected to hostile work environment which ultimately led to her constructive dismissal. For those unaware, Constructive Dismissal takes place who an employee is forced to resign due to intolerable working conditions created by the employer, rather than being directly fired. Pai further alleges that Microsoft failed to address cyber harassment she faced in 2020, despite her formal complaints. She claims she was excluded from key forums, labeled a 'troublemaker', and her contributions were publicly overlooked. Pai resigned on October 8, 2024, citing mental and physical distress caused by Microsoft's actions. She is seeking compensation for lost salaries, bonuses, stock options, reputational damage, and emotional suffering. Microsoft has not issued an official statement on the lawsuit. The case will be heard in Bengaluru on June 9. Microsoft recently fired 6000 employees Microsoft recently announced that it will ay off 3% of its global workforce, affecting thousands of employees across all levels, teams, and geographies, amounting to over 6,000 employees. The cuts at the Redmond giant, which employed 228,000 people as of last June, aim to reduce management layers and streamline operations. "We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace," a Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC in a statement. The latest round of job cuts Microsoft's largest reduction since eliminating 10,000 roles in 2023. Unlike January's smaller performance-based cuts, the company indicated these layoffs are structural in nature.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Former executive Lathika Pai sues Microsoft for unfair termination, demands Rs 35 crore
Lathika Pai, previously a senior executive at Microsoft India, has filed a civil suit against the company, claiming she had to resign due to a hostile work environment. Pai has demanded Rs 35.3 crore in damages. The case, moved by Delhi High Court to City Civil Court in Bengaluru, will be heard next on June 9. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Former senior Microsoft India executive Lathika Pai has filed a civil suit against the company, alleging that she was forced to resign due to a hostile work environment . She has demanded Rs 35.3 crore in suit alleges that Pai faced procedural unfairness, which she called "constructive dismissal". Delhi High Court heard the matter in May 7, before shifting it to City Civil Court in Bengaluru after Microsoft's lawyers challenged the court's jurisdiction. The matter will now be heard in Bengaluru on June 9. startup ecosystem veteran known for supporting women-led ventures, Pai was Microsoft's Country Head for Venture Capital and Private Equity Partnerships at the time of her resignation in July claims she had to endure eight months of intimidation and professional isolation following an internal investigation into 'Highway to a 100 Unicorns', a flagship startup initiative she led. Microsoft launched the programme in 2019 to support early-stage startups in small cities through state government in 2019, Microsoft received anonymous charges of vendor favouritism and financial irregularities in the initiative. The subsequent probe in the matter cleared Pai of any wrongdoing and she was promoted in law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius launched a second investigation in March 2024. Pai claims she was denied the original complaints and transcripts from the first investigation, and a key interview in 2024 was conducted without recording, in contravention of Microsoft's policy. Her objections to these were met with more hostility by the company, she says. She was removed from key forums and labelled a "troublemaker".Pai also alleged Microsoft of inadequate action in a 2020 cyberbullying case. She further said that Microsoft's leadership was sceptical of collaborations with state has founded JobSkills, a social impact company with focus on employability, and nonprofit SounderConnect, which works with women entrepreneurs. She has long supported inclusion and innovation in India's startup space.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ex-Microsoft India executive sues company, seeks ₹35.3 crore in damages
Former Microsoft India executive Lathika Pai filed a civil suit against the company and its senior officials, seeking ₹35.3 crore in damages, alleging that she was forced to resign due to a hostile work environment, reported The Financial Times. Pai, who is a veteran in India's startup landscape, stated that there was procedural unfairness involved in the 'constructive dismissal.' The case was heard by the Delhi high court on May 7, however, after Microsoft's legal team challenged the court's jurisdiction, the matter was referred to a civil court in Bengaluru. The next hearing in the matter will take place on June 9. Also Read: After Satya Nadella, Microsoft EVP Jay Parikh's speech disrupted by protestor Lathika Pai served as Microsoft's Country Head for Venture Capital and Private Equity Partnerships and also championed several women-led ventures in India's startup scene. Pai founded ventures like JobSkills and SonderConnect, and has been a vocal advocate for inclusion and innovation in India's startup sector. She resigned from her position at Microsoft in July 2024, stating that she had faced eight months of intimidation and harassment following an internal probe into a flagship startup initiative led by her. Also Read: Video of Microsoft employee disrupting Satya Nadella's keynote speech goes viral Pai stated that she had suffered damage to her mental health, reputation, and professional standing and was seeking compensation for the loss of income, emotional distress, and reputational harm she underwent. Lathika Pai had led the venture 'Highway to a 100 Unicorns,' which was launched by Microsoft in 2019 to support early-stage startups in small cities in collaboration with state governments. In late 2019, the company received anonymous allegations of vendor favouritism and financial irregularities, leading to an internal probe being launched against Pai, reported The Financial Times. Also Read: Microsoft to lay off 6,000 employees in biggest round of job cuts since 2023 Pai was cleared of all charges and promoted in 2021. A second probe was launched in 2024, led by US law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius. Lathika Pai stated that she was not allowed access to key complaint transcripts, and an interview had been conducted without recording, going against company policy. She stated that when she pointed out these issues she was labelled a 'troublemaker' and was removed from key forums. Pai also accused Microsoft of treating collaborations with state governments with a bias and claimed that they failed to properly address a cyberbullying incident in 2020.
