|
In a
letter addressed to "all our nervous families wondering about
your place in the world" Chief Executive Bill McDermott told
SAP's 84,000 global employees that "we are always in your
corner", while emphasizing its own non-discrimination policies.
SAP joined U.S. technology leaders from Apple <AAPL.O>, Facebook
<FB.O> and Google <GOOGL.O> in emailing their employees to
denounce the suspension of the U.S. refugee program and the
halting of arrivals from seven Muslim-majority countries.
McDermott, a New York native and U.S. citizen, described a
nation "stitched together by immigrants" and expressed
confidence that "America will find its way back to its original
identity," which he asserted was based on opportunity and
equality for all.
SAP is moving gingerly to reassure its employees while also
seeking to avoid tussling publicly with the new U.S.
administration. The firm, which supplies software planning tools
that help multinational companies manage far-flung operations,
generates nearly one-third of its revenue in the United States.
Twenty-one percent of SAP's employees were based in the United
States, according to its 2015 annual report.
Last week, SAP said trade uncertainties presented by the Trump
policies could drive sales of its business planning software as
it raised its business outlook for the next four years (http://reut.rs/2kEKuJD).
McDermott said it was premature to say what impact U.S. policy
changes may have on business.
While technology firms denounced the travel restrictions, many
counterparts in other industries either declined to comment or
responded with statements reiterating their company's commitment
to diversity. (http://reut.rs/2jME4Ht)
(Reporting by Eric Auchard, editing by Louise Heavens)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
