The popular game producer Activision Blizzard has entered into a settlement of 18 million dollars (almost 160 million kroner) with US authorities after allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination of female employees in the company.
Female employees were faced with a culture of sexual harassment
Activision Blizzard, which is behind the very popular game franchises Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush, confirmed on Monday that the agreement has been entered into with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which has been investigating the company for three years. Earlier that day, the agency filed a civil lawsuit against the company in a federal court in California.
If they complained, they were fired
In a seven-page indictment, EEOC accused Activision Blizzard of not taking employees’ allegations of sexual harassment seriously. The video game producer must also have discriminated against pregnant employees. If employees who suffered harassment or discrimination complained, the company fired them, according to the EEOC.
It cost them 160 million
Activision Blizzard has agreed to set up a $ 18 million fund to compensate and compensate eligible applicants. Any excess amount will be donated to charities that promote women in the video game industry or promote awareness of harassment and gender issues as well as the company’s diversity, gender equality and inclusion initiatives.
… And they thank the prosecutor
Nowhere in our company is there room for discrimination, harassment or different treatment of people and I am grateful to the employees who have bravely shared their experiences with EEOC. My commitment to making Activision Blizzard one of the world’s most inclusive, respected and respectful workplaces is unwavering. I’m sorry someone has had to experience inappropriate behavior. We thank the EEOC for their constructive commitment.
Bobby Kotick, adm.dir. Activision Blizzard
Several cases in progress
This is just one of the issues Activision Blizzards is facing. The company is being sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and a separate investigation of the company has been initiated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
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