Activision Blizzard Reaches Agreement Over Discrimination Lawsuit
Today, Activision Blizzard released a statement, saying it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In it, Blizzard pledged to strengthen its anti-discrimination policies, as well as create a fund for all victims of abusive practices.
- Activison Blizzard has reached an agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission;
- Under the settlement, the company agrees to implement programs to protect male and female employees from discrimination and harassment;
- There will also be a special fund of $18 million to compensate victims of reprehensible behavior in the workplace.
Activision Blizzard has reached a settlement over the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In it, the company pledged to strengthen and expand programs to prevent further discrimination and harassment in workplace. In addition, a special fund of $18 million will be created to compensate all victims. The money that will not be used for the victims will be donated to charities that promote gender equality in the video game industry, as well as those that raise awareness about harassment and sexual violence.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick commented on the agreement as follows:
“There is no place anywhere at our company for discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment of any kind, and I am grateful to the employees who bravely shared their experiences. I am sorry that anyone had to experience inappropriate conduct, and I remain unwavering in my commitment to make Activision Blizzard one of the world’s most inclusive, respected, and respectful workplaces.
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We will continue to be vigilant in our commitment to the elimination of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. We thank the EEOC for its constructive engagement as we work to fulfill our commitments to eradicate inappropriate conduct in the workplace.”
The agreement also provides for the appointment of an independent equality consultant to review Activision Blizzard's equality initiatives.
This agreement certainly closes one chapter in a story that began this July, when the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed the first lawsuit against Blizzard. Since then, new inconvenient facts have begun to come to light, through which Activision Blizzard has suffered greatly in terms of image. Some are already predicting the end of the legendary company.
While the agreement does not settle the whole matter, it may move the company away from the edge of the abyss over which it has recently found itself. It remains to wait for the results of the new policy.
