For the last several months, Activision Blizzard has been mired in allegations, accusations, and controversy. Today, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission threw its hat in the ring as well, ending a three-year investigation by accusing Activision of workplace inequality, including verbal abuse, harassment, and wage gaps.
The first of these lawsuits was filed back in July by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The lawsuit filed today by the EEOC demanded that Activision Blizzard compensate employees affected by the inequality with back pay and damages, as well as insurance that the company would "institute and carry out policies, practices, and programs to ensure equal employment opportunities, and which eradicate the effects of its past and present unlawful employment practices."
This time, the company was quick to respond. Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard CEO, reached a settlement regarding the EEOC's lawsuit, publishing a press release that outlined the promises and conditions of the agreement. Activision has promised to update its policies and training programs to combat sexual discrimination, and must now hire an internal equal opportunity expert, who will be working with third-party consultants to ensure it meets standards set by the EEOC. The company has also promised to create a fund worth $18 million for the sake of compensating employees harmed by the misconduct, and to contribute to non-profit organizations who champion women in gaming and tech industries.
Until now, Activision has offered little substance in regards to the multiple lawsuits filed against it, nor to the petitions and protests that have accompanied them. While it has renamed characters, items, and locations in its games that referenced individuals identified as perpetrators of the harassment and "frat-boy" culture, it has also engaged in coercion and union-busting activities to prevent their employees from organizing against it. The settlement with EEOC marks one of the first major promises made in writing thus far.
This settlement is a win for employees of Activision Blizzard. The DFEH opened the proverbial floodgates with its lawsuit this summer, giving employees of this and many other companies the courage and momentum to speak up, giving voice to their abuse and grievances. In much the same way, this settlement could, and should, prove to be the first of many positive changes across the gaming and tech industry.
But this does not mean Activision Blizzard is out of the woods yet, far from it. The company's reputation has been irrevocably damaged in recent years, and the hemorrhaging of high-profile talent both before and during these allegations has made it worse. If Activision Blizzard ever wants to regain the trust and good faith of its employees and player base, it will have to realize that the road before it will be long and hard, and unless the next settlement is with its own employees, any real, lasting change may be impossible.
Source: Activision, IGN