Microsoft fires man "because he was gay"

MICROSOFT FINDS itself in the dock in an Israeli courtroom, charged with sacking a man because he is homosexual.

The unnamed ex-employee is demanding his job back and seeking financial compensation, in proceedings that have been conducted in camera since the beginning of the year.

This week, the Israeli daily Ha'aretz, asked the National Labour Court to permit publication of details from the proceedings, including the name of the respondent - Microsoft Israel.

Microsoft says the man's dismissal had nothing to do with his sexual orientation but was due to his poor professional performance.

The plaintiff argues that since his sexual orientation became public during conference in the United States to which employees were allowed to take their partners, his colleagues' attitudes towards him. He alleges he became the object of jokes, e-mail messages and gossip at the company's offices in Herzliya Pituah.

Microsoft Israel says the man was fired following repeated complaints about his work.

Here's the Ha'aretz piece. µ