Former Microsoft employees who checked materials with child pornography accused the company of inadequate treatment of psyche disorder

Two former Microsoft employees, whose duties were monitoring publications containing child pornography and other prohibited materials, filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of failure to provide sufficient psychological assistance to treat post -traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ), reports The Verge .

According to the materials of the lawsuit, Henry Soto and Greg Blauert worked in the Microsoft online security team and were engaged in checking materials marked as potentially illegal, in order to make the final decision on sending information about them to law enforcement agencies. So, Soto's duties included watching materials containing scenes of cruelty, murders and sexual violence, while Blauert checked thousands of images from children's and adult pornography and other repulsive materials.

Both applicants argue that during work they began to experience the symptoms characteristic of PTSR, including nightmares, anxiety and hallucinations. When they complained to the management of their condition, the company invited them to take part in the healing program, but Soto and Blauert believe that the therapist who worked with them did not have the necessary qualifications to work with their problems. The leaders also advised both moderators to make smokers and walk more on foot, and Blauerta was also recommended to play computer games.

In turn, the representative of Microsoft said that the company does not agree with the charges. According to him, Microsoft is aware of its responsibility both for the need to remove sexual violence against children from their servers, and for the health status of employees who have to react to incoming complaints. He also added that the company uses a certain algorithm that “reduces the realism” of images when viewing the online security team, and also limits the working hours of team members.

The statement of claim contains a claim for damages (the amount of compensation is not specified), as well as a number of recommendations of the company, the implementation of which will protect the health of existing employees.

According to The Verge, former Microsoft employees are not alone. Earlier it was reported that the Moderators Facebook, YouTube and a number of other Internet companies experienced similar problems with the psyche.