Matt pilla microsoft

In addition, Microsoft now uses only temporary staffing agencies, which seek to provide quality benefits, he said. Finally, the company now limits the length of temporary assignments to 12 months. After the month period is up, a temporary worker must wait days before the next assignment at Microsoft, Pilla said.

The average temporary assignment is 10 months, he said. Redmond, Wash. A copy of the settlement can be viewed at www. This story, "Microsoft settles temporary worker lawsuit" was originally published by ITworld.

Here are the latest Insider stories. District Court judge in Seattle today, although it still needs to be formally approved before going into effect.

Permatemps are long-term temporary employees who may work at a company for years without getting the benefits given to regular workers. The Microsoft case has been closely watched by technology industry groups and legal observers because it could force companies to offer benefits to at least some of their temporary and contract workers -- a big issue in the IT world. In January, the U. Supreme Court rejected Microsoft's appeal of a lower-court ruling that as many as 10, workers hired on a temporary basis should have been allowed to take part in the stock-option plan that the company offers its permanent employees.

Pilla noted that Microsoft changed its policies for temporary employees earlier this year. It now has a month limit on temporary employment, after which workers have to take a day hiatus, Pilla said, adding that the average length of a temporary employee's time at Microsoft has dropped to just 10 months. Redwood City, Calif. The current box for the war fantasy game features a plane dropping bombs as it approaches the World Trade Center. Electronic Arts said Wal-Mart has sent back the software.

Electronic Arts also shut down its Web-based "Majestic" game on Tuesday afternoon. Majestic draws users into a macabre government-terrorist conspiracy by dropping clues randomly via e-mail, faxes and phone calls. However, Brown was quick to point out that the firm would not alter the content of its games. Just as several movie companies are pushing back release dates and re-editing previews for sensitivity purposes, he said game companies are taking necessary steps to omit inappropriate images in marketing material.

In other words, Brown said, video game firms shouldn't be held to a higher standard than books, films or other media.