Salesforce Scolds Employees for Skipping Event After CEO's ICE Joke

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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff made jokes about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a company event, angering some employees. Dozens of workers expressed disappointment on an internal Slack channel, and some left the event. Salesforce later sent emails scolding employees for their "absence" and asking them to explain any "extenuating circumstances" for not attending, according to internal messages viewed by Business Insider.

Why it matters

Benioff's comments about ICE surveillance touched a nerve with some Salesforce employees, who felt the remarks were inappropriate and created an uncomfortable environment. The company's response of reprimanding workers for not attending the event after the controversial comments raises questions about Salesforce's handling of employee concerns and its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

The details

According to internal Slack messages, dozens of Salesforce employees expressed disappointment over Benioff's comments about ICE, with some leaving the event afterward. Later, these workers received emails from the company asking them to explain their "absence" and any "extenuating circumstances" for not attending, with a 250-character limit on their responses. It's unclear if the emails were directly related to Benioff's ICE remarks, but some employees said they did not return to the event after his comments, while others who did also reported receiving the scolding emails.

• Benioff made the controversial comments about ICE during the Salesforce Company Kickoff (CKO) event on Tuesday.
• Employees expressed disappointment about Benioff's remarks on an internal Slack channel following the event.