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Drinking At Work Just Got Harder At Microsoft

This story was written by Joseph Tartakoff.


Only three days before an eagerly anticipated employee pub was set to open at Microsoft's new entertainment-and-devices complex in Redmond, Wash., Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) got cold feet and killed the idea, Seattle-area technology news site TechFlash reported Friday. A spokesman said that the company decided that the bar wasn't appropriate for a "business environment." What's odd, though, is that plans for the bar had been in the works for more than a year. It featured eight bar taps, a "giant bar," and a fireplaceand was all set for its grand opening, TechFlash reports. But Microsoft decided to terminate the lease; a spokesperson said cost-cutting didn't play a role. Microsoft has cut back on several initiatives recently, citing economic conditions. Earlier this year, sources at the company said it determined that it could save more than $100 million by cutting back on certain employee perks, but that Microsoft's CFO had nixed the idea.


By Joseph Tartakoff

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