Salesforce Leadership Addresses Controversy Over CEO’s ICE Remarks
Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, recently sparked internal discord with jokes made about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a company event. The remarks, delivered at Salesforce’s employee kickoff in Las Vegas, have prompted a response from within the company’s leadership, including cofounder Parker Harris. Business Insider initially reported on the internal reaction and has now obtained details of Harris’s direct address to employees regarding the situation.
Harris, who also serves as Salesforce’s Chief Technology Officer, conveyed his personal disapproval of Benioff’s comments during a meeting with the product and tech team. According to a verified transcript of the meeting, Harris stated plainly, “Marc made a very bad joke,” and further clarified, “I’m not okay with it personally.” He emphasized that the incident was attributable to Benioff’s individual actions and refrained from publicly criticizing the CEO.
Internal Concerns and Code of Conduct Violations
The fallout from Benioff’s jokes quickly manifested within Salesforce’s internal communication channels, particularly on Slack. Several employees expressed their dismay, and executives like Slack General Manager Rob Seaman publicly acknowledged the inappropriateness of the comments. Seaman stated that the remarks did not align with his values or those of many other employees. This public expression of concern, however, drew repercussions from within the company.
Harris directly addressed the issue of leaks to the press during the meeting, warning employees that sharing internal discussions with external outlets like Business Insider constitutes a breach of the company’s Code of Conduct and could result in termination. He specifically referenced Seaman’s Slack post as an example of behavior that led to internal consequences, stating Seaman “got in big trouble ‘cause it went out on the internet.”
Navigating Political Sensitivity and Employee Expression
The discussion also touched upon the broader political climate and Salesforce’s position as a corporate entity. Harris acknowledged the sensitive nature of current events, referencing situations like those unfolding in Minneapolis, and stressed that the company’s software is not directly involved in these issues. He reiterated that Salesforce does not identify as a political organization.
Harris encouraged employees to exercise their civic duty and voice their opinions through voting, stating, “I’m going to use my democratic right to vote, and that’s how I’m gonna take action against some of the things that I’m not okay with.” He concluded by reaffirming his willingness to continue the conversation internally, while requesting that discussions remain confidential. Salesforce has not yet issued a public statement addressing the controversy, and Benioff has not directly commented on the internal uproar.
