Salesforce cofounder Parker Harris recently addressed some controversial jokes made by CEO Marc Benioff about ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) during an internal meeting. Harris openly expressed his disapproval, stating, “Marc made a very bad joke.” While he didn’t want to publicly criticize Benioff, he emphasized that such remarks were unacceptable.
His comments came after an employee leaked a transcript of the meeting where Harris discussed the issue. During that same meeting, he reflected on why some company leaders hadn’t spoken out against Benioff’s comments at Salesforce’s employee kickoff in Las Vegas.
Harris mentioned that another executive had already criticized the jokes, which had been reported by Business Insider. He emphasized the importance of discussing these matters internally, rather than letting them spill into public forums. “It’s a violation of the Code of Conduct, and it’s a fireable offense,” he warned, reinforcing the seriousness of the issue.
At the kickoff, Benioff allegedly made several jokes about ICE, including comments about the agency monitoring Salesforce employees. These remarks stirred anger among employees, who expressed their frustrations on Slack. Rob Seaman, the General Manager of Slack, echoed their sentiments, stating he couldn’t defend his boss’s comments, which he felt didn’t align with his values.
Salesforce VP Craig Broscow also voiced his disappointment, urging Benioff to acknowledge the offensive nature of his jokes. In a candid moment, Harris shared that Seaman faced consequences for his public response. He stressed that personal values matter and called upon employees to express their opinions through voting rather than workplace discussions.
“I think we should keep talking about it,” Harris concluded, acknowledging that the situation was difficult but necessary to navigate. Salesforce, he noted, is not a political organization, but employees should still have a voice in the democratic process.
This incident highlights a growing trend in corporate culture where employees expect transparency and ethical leadership from their bosses. Experts note that the response to workplace controversies can significantly impact employee morale and company reputation.
A recent survey by Pew Research found that 55% of workers believe that companies should speak out on social issues. In a world where employees increasingly seek meaningful engagement with their workplaces, leaders must be careful about the messages they send, whether through jokes or public statements.
As workplace dynamics evolve, the call for accountability becomes stronger. Companies that fail to listen or address concerns openly risk losing trust and loyalty from their staff.
For more on corporate culture and leadership accountability, you can explore resources from the Society for Human Resource Management here.
