Microsoft Pay-Bias Pact Rescinded as DOL Sought Tougher Deal (1)

Microsoft Corp. and the Labor Department reached a deal to resolve an investigation finding the tech company discriminated against women on the job. Then the DOL changed its mind.

The department in July rescinded a near-done deal for Microsoft to pay an undisclosed amount without admitting to claims the company paid women less than men and passed them over for promotions, sources familiar with the investigation told Bloomberg Law. That’s because Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta was concerned the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs was letting Microsoft off too easy.

“In the interest of resolving a decade-old audit, we negotiated ...