Activision board says execs didn't ignore harassment
source link: https://techxplore.com/news/2022-06-activision-board-execs-didnt.html
Go to the source link to view the article. You can view the picture content, updated content and better typesetting reading experience. If the link is broken, please click the button below to view the snapshot at that time.
June 16, 2022
Activision board says execs didn't ignore harassment
The board of directors of US video game publisher Activision Blizzard said Thursday that there was no evidence to suggest that management had ignored or minimized accusations of sexual harassment.
The firm behind hits like Candy Crush and Call of Duty, which Microsoft is acquiring in a blockbuster $69 billion deal, has been roiled by lawsuits and workers' allegations.
Its CEO Bobby Kotick has apologized on behalf of the group and implemented a "zero tolerance" policy, while dozens of employees have been sanctioned or fired.
But according to the Wall Street Journal, the executive knew about reports of harassment for several years and sought to keep the incidents quiet.
In a filing with US market regulators, the firm acknowledged Thursday the existence of cases of gender-based harassment.
"The board and its external advisors have determined that there is no evidence to suggest that Activision Blizzard senior executives ever intentionally ignored or attempted to downplay the instances of gender harassment that occurred and were reported," the document said.
The firm and its advisors have "not unearthed any evidence, directly or indirectly, suggesting any attempt by any senior executive or employee to conceal information from the board."
Activision also hired Gilbert Casellas, a former chair of US discrimination watchdog Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for a review.
According to the company, he concluded that there was no widespread harassment, recurring pattern or practices of harassment at Activision Blizzard or any of its subsidiaries.
Still, the company reached an agreement last year with the EEOC to create an $18 million compensation fund for harassment victims.
Activision also faces a case brought by California's rights watchdog, which launched a lawsuit last year alleging sexual harassment and discrimination at the company.
Explore further
© 2022 AFP
Recommend
-
6
Activision Blizzard employees decry 'abhorrent' company response to harassment lawsuitMore than 800 workers want "immediate" corrective action from the publisher.
-
9
Activision Blizzard staff rebuke ‘insulting’ leadership response to discrimination lawsuit(The Washington Post illustration)Yesterday at 6:19 p.m. EDT...
-
13
Why didn't you tell us you're awful? — Shareholders sue Activision Blizzard for withholding harassment info Complaint: "False and misleading statements" led to "artificially inflated" stoc...
-
7
Activision Blizzard to create $18 million fund for harassment victims in federal employment agency settlement(The Washington Post illustration; Photo by Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters)By...
-
9
Activision Blizzard asks to pause harassment lawsuitBy Shannon LiaoToday at 1:44 p.m. EDT
-
4
Hundreds of HelloFresh Workers Are Unionizing in New JerseyLine workers at the meal kit giant say conditions inside its facilities are dire and dangerous, and that they regularly are injured. Oc...
-
4
Activision Blizzard: More than 20 staff leave after harassment claimsPublished2 days agoImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Activision Blizzard is one of the largest video gaming companies in t...
-
6
Activision Blizzard ends forced arbitration for harassment and discrimination claimsThe company will also implement a zero-tolerance harassment policy. Brendan McDermid / reutersFollowing months of
-
12
January 17, 2022
-
7
Former Everyrealm execs sue company for sexual harassment, race discriminationAnita RamaswamySat, October 15, 2022, 6:40 AM·6 min read...
About Joyk
Aggregate valuable and interesting links.
Joyk means Joy of geeK