Game developer Activision Blizzard has been accused of discriminating against female employees in terms of pay and conditions and allowing the “fraternal” culture of sexual harassment in the workplace.
According to a major lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Activision Blizzard usually pays women less salaries than men, and disciplinary measures against women in a way that male employees have never done before, despite their worse behavior. , And it is unlikely that women will be promoted at all levels.
The lawsuit also alleges the company’s office-the company is responsible for popular franchises such as call of Duty with World of Warcraft-Rampant with sexual harassment and misconduct.
Allegations of workplace harassment
Allegedly, female employees suffered a “Cube crawl”, in which male employees drank “large amounts” of alcohol while walking through cubicles in the office, and performed indecent acts on female employees.
The lawsuit stated: “Male employees go to work when they have a hangover, play video games for a long time at work, and delegate responsibilities to female employees at the same time, joking about sexual encounters, publicly talking about female bodies, and joking about rape.”.
“Unsurprisingly, the defendant’s’fraternity boy’ culture is a hotbed of harassment and discrimination against women.”
The lawsuit alleges that female employees of Activision Blizzard are constantly being sexually harassed, including during the “Cube Crawl” and other company activities, they must “continuously defend against unwelcome sexual comments” and male colleagues and supervisors.
The lawsuit documents an incident in which a female employee committed suicide during a business trip with an unnamed male supervisor who carried sex toys and lubricants with her during the trip.
Allegedly, the female employee had suffered other incidents of sexual harassment at work before. The lawsuit alleges that at a holiday party before her death, a male colleague sent a photo of her vagina.
Activision Blizzard denied the allegations in the lawsuit, saying it contained “distortion and in many cases false descriptions” of the company’s past.
The company added that the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s decision to mention the deceased made him feel “disgusting”, saying that her suicide had “no relation” to the case.
“Although we think this behavior is shameful and unprofessional, unfortunately, this is an example of their performance throughout the investigation process,” the company added.
The California lawsuit also alleges female employees working for the company World of Warcraft The team complained that male employees and supervisors would beat them, and made derogatory comments about rape at work.
In one alleged incident, a male supervisor publicly encouraged a male subordinate to “buy” a prostitute to treat his bad mood.
One person in the lawsuit is Alex Afrasiabi, a former senior creative director World of Warcraft At Blizzard Entertainment. He accused him of participating in “blatant sexual harassment with little impact”, including trying to kiss and groping female employees, and referred to them as derogatory terms in company activities.
“Afrasiabi is known for harassing women, so much so that his suite is nicknamed’Crosby [sic] According to the lawsuit, the suite after Bill Cosby”.
Cosby, who has always denied the accusations against him Out of prison He was revoked in June after he was convicted of sexual assault.
Allegations of Pay Discrimination
Activision Blizzard has also been accused of discriminating against female employees in salary, promotion, opportunities and assignments.
The lawsuit states that only about 20% of the workforce is women, and that the roles of CEO and president “are now-and always have been-held by white men.”
“Very few women hold high-level positions in companies. Women in higher positions receive less salary, incentive compensation and total compensation than their male counterparts,” the lawsuit states.
It is said that the starting salary paid by the company to female employees is significantly lower than that of male employees. Allegedly, women are “overwhelmingly” assigned to lower grades/levels without stocks and incentive opportunities. It is said that they often have to work harder and longer to get the same promotion opportunities as men.
In some cases, women are ignored when they are promoted, and prefer men who lack the same experience or qualifications but who are friends with the male head of the unit.
Allegedly, women are also discriminated against because of pregnancy or childbirth. The lawsuit alleges that a female employee took on some of the manager’s duties, but when she asked for a fair remuneration and was actually promoted to such a position, her manager told her that they could not risk promoting her because “she might become pregnant. I really like being a mother.”
Other female employees reported that they were criticized for leaving to pick up their children in daycare, while male colleagues were playing video games at the same time. Allegedly, female employees have also been expelled from the nursing room so that employees can use the space for meetings.
Allegations concerning the treatment of women of color
The lawsuit alleges that women of color are “particularly vulnerable targets” of Activision Blizzard’s discriminatory practices.
A black woman said that it took her two years to become a full-time employee, while men hired after her became full-time employees earlier.
She also claimed that she was under micromanagement to such an extent that although her male colleague could play video games in shifts, if she took a break and went for a walk, her supervisor would call to check on her.
Another African-American employee claimed that when she requested time off, she was asked to write a summary of how she would spend this time, and that others did not need to do so.
The lawsuit stated: “Although the male colleague was lazy in the meeting, the male supervisor also criticized her body language. She was scolded for asking for help, while others could get help on similar tasks without receiving the same criticism.”
Allegations of failure to act on the complaint
The lawsuit also alleges that Activision Blizzard executives and its human resources department failed to take action on complaints filed with them about workplace discrimination and harassment.
The lawsuit stated that the company “failed to take effective remedial measures for these complaints. Because human resources personnel have a close relationship with the suspected harassers, it further discourages employees from making complaints.”
Allegedly, these complaints were “handled in a perfunctory and contemptuous manner, without confidentiality”.
The complaint alleges that the female employee who spoke out “was retaliated against, including but not limited to being deprived of project work, reluctantly transferred to a different unit, and selected to be laid off.”
Activision Blizzard’s full statement
In a full statement against litigation claims submitted to The Verge and other news sites, Activision Blizzard stated: “We value diversity and strive to create an inclusive workplace for all.
“Our company or industry or any industry does not allow any form of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. We take every allegation seriously and investigate all claims. In cases related to misconduct, actions have been taken to resolve the issues.
“This [Department of Fair Employment and Housing] Including distortions of Blizzard’s past, which in many cases are false descriptions. We worked very closely with DFEH throughout the investigation process, including providing them with extensive data and sufficient documents, but they refused to tell us what they thought was the problem. The law requires them to conduct a full investigation and have a sincere discussion with us before filing a lawsuit to better understand and resolve any claims or concerns, but they did not do so. Instead, they are eager to file inaccurate complaints, which we will prove in court.
“We are disgusted by DFEH’s condemned behavior and dragged the tragic suicide of an employee into the complaint. The employee’s death has nothing to do with the case and does not take into account her grieving family members.
“Although we consider this kind of behavior to be shameful and unprofessional, unfortunately, this is an example of their performance throughout the investigation. It is this irresponsible state bureaucracy’s irresponsible behavior that is promoting Many of the state’s best companies have left California.
“The picture depicted by DFEH is not the Blizzard workplace today. Over the past few years, since the initial investigation, we have made significant changes to address the company’s cultural issues and reflect more in our leadership team Diversity.
“We have updated our code of conduct to emphasize strict non-retaliation, expanded internal plans and channels for employees to report violations, including an’ASK list’ with a confidential and integrity hotline, and introduced an employee relationship dedicated to investigations The worries of team members.
“We have strengthened our commitment to diversity, fairness, and inclusiveness, and integrated our employee network globally to provide additional support. Employees must also receive regular anti-harassment training and have been doing this for many years.
“We have made great efforts to formulate fair and rewarding compensation plans and policies that reflect our culture and business. We strive to pay equal or basically similar work for all employees fairly. We take various positive measures to ensure that the compensation is Driven by the following factors: non-discriminatory factors. For example, we reward and compensate employees based on their performance, and conduct extensive anti-discrimination training, including those involved in the compensation process.
“We are confident to demonstrate our approach as an equal opportunity employer and create a supportive, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees. We are committed to continuing our efforts in the coming years. Unfortunately, DFEH does not want to justify what they think is What we saw in the investigation contacted us.”
Weekly newspaper Activism Blizzard has been contacted for further comment.
If you have suicidal thoughts, you can get confidential help for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours a day.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
