Microsoft has settled a $14.4 million agreement with California's Civil Rights Department after allegations of discrimination against employees on parental and disability leave. The settlement includes measures to prevent future abuses, with the department noting that penalizing employees for taking protected leave failed to support workers. Most affected individuals were women and disabled employees who reportedly received lower bonuses and negative reviews for taking leave. Microsoft has denied the allegations but will compensate impacted employees and make changes to prevent future discrimination. The agreement comes amidst a crackdown on Big Tech by California's civil rights agency, which recently settled a sex-based discrimination lawsuit against Snap. Microsoft, facing legal challenges on other fronts, could be fined for antitrust violations in the European Union. The company's commitment to addressing these issues and supporting employees remains a key focus.