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Activision Blizzard might be feeling some heat. Last week, Fortune published an exposé compiled from accounts of more than two dozen former and current employees at the gaming juggernaut and maker of World of Warcraft and Overwatch that reportedly details a “toxic work culture.” Among other claims, some female employees recount being sexually harassed by male employees and being continuously undermined when it came to career advancement.
Activision Blizzard faces legal challenges just as Microsoft attempts to move forward with a $68.7 billion acquisition of the company. A lawsuit brought by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) in July 2021 alleges “that women were subjected to constant sexual harassment, including groping, comments, and advances.”
In September 2021, Activision Blizzard settled a separate lawsuit brought by the US Equal Opportunity Employment Commission for $18 million over allegedly “pervasive sexual harassment and discrimination,” after the agency finished a three-year investigation into the company, according to The Verge.
The DFEH suit alleges that “human resources personnel knew of the harassment and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the unlawful conduct, and instead retaliated against women who complained.”
Activision Blizzard did not respond to an HR Brew request for comment, but in a statement to Fortune, it said the company portrayed is “not the Blizzard of today.”
Speaking on behalf of Microsoft, Assembly Media’s Chris Leggett told HR Brew: “Microsoft has reviewed the renewed culture commitment and actions Activision Blizzard have done so far, and the efforts they’ve undertaken. We’re supportive of the work being done." He noted, "Until the deal is closed, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will continue to operate as separate companies.”
Toxic culture. Former female employees alleged a workplace rife with “casual sexism,” according to the Fortune report, which details how women at the company felt they were “treated differently from men.” Some say they were subjected to unwanted touches, demeaning behavior, bullying, and harassment from male employees.
No trust in HR. Fortune adds that, according to former employees, Activation Blizzard’s HR department had high turnover and seemed to be little more than an appendage of its leadership. The California complaint was amended to include claims that HR employees “were known to be close to alleged harassers.” There was little trust that HR could address problems and create meaningful change, the employees told Fortune.
Read the full Fortune story here.