After 21 years at Microsoft, Xbox’s former COO raises serious concerns over abrupt departure

Chiang challenges reports of violations

In a lengthy LinkedIn post titled “clarity is kindness,” Chiang did not dispute that she was fired, but did not explain why she was let go. Eurogamer reported last month that she was “terminated for policy violations”; Chiang said that account was “not accurate.” She denied rumors that she had leaked confidential information or left to join a competitor. Chiang also rejected allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment, insider trading, embezzlement or other fraudulent activity.

She questions how standards were applied

Chiang said she believed in fairness and accountability, and that standards should be applied consistently. She wrote that she had serious concerns about how those standards were applied in her case and believed they deserved serious consideration. She said her departure was not how she had imagined her story at Microsoft ending, and added that it was not the whole story.

A long connection to Xbox

Chiang had worked at Microsoft for 21 years and was promoted to chief operating officer in July. She described a deep loyalty to the people, teams and businesses she had helped build, saying Xbox was not merely another career stop.

The report said multiple Xbox employees described Chiang as highly respected and having high integrity. Chiang said she stood by both her results and the way she had treated people throughout her career.

Microsoft had not commented

The report said it had asked Chiang whether she was pursuing legal action against Microsoft. It also said Microsoft had been asked to comment on her post, but had not responded in time for publication.