We value diversity and strive to foster a workplace that offers inclusivity for everyone. There is no place in our company or industry, or any industry, for sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind. We take every allegation seriously and investigate all claims. In cases related to misconduct, action was taken to address the issue.
The DFEH includes distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzardâs past. We have been extremely cooperative with the DFEH throughout their investigation, including providing them with extensive data and ample documentation, but they refused to inform us what issues they perceived. They were required by law to adequately investigate and to have good faith discussions with us to better understand and to resolve any claims or concerns before going to litigation, but they failed to do so. Instead, they rushed to file an inaccurate complaint, as we will demonstrate in court. We are sickened by the reprehensible conduct of the DFEH to drag into the complaint the tragic suicide of an employee whose passing has no bearing whatsoever on this case and with no regard for her grieving family. While we find this behavior to be disgraceful and unprofessional, it is unfortunately an example of how they have conducted themselves throughout the course of their investigation. It is this type of irresponsible behavior from unaccountable State bureaucrats that are driving many of the Stateâs best businesses out of California.
The picture the DFEH paints is not the Blizzard workplace of today. Over the past several years and continuing since the initial investigation started, weâve made significant changes to address company culture and reflect more diversity within our leadership teams. Weâve updated our Code of Conduct to emphasize a strict non-retaliation focus, amplified internal programs and channels for employees to report violations, including the âASK Listâ with a confidential integrity hotline, and introduced an Employee Relations team dedicated to investigating employee concerns. We have strengthened our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and combined our Employee Networks at a global level, to provide additional support. Employees must also undergo regular anti-harassment training and have done so for many years.
We put tremendous effort in creating fair and rewarding compensation packages and policies that reflect our culture and business, and we strive to pay all employees fairly for equal or substantially similar work. We take a variety of proactive steps to ensure that pay is driven by non-discriminatory factors. For example, we reward and compensate employees based on their performance, and we conduct extensive anti-discrimination trainings including for those who are part of the compensation process.
We are confident in our ability to demonstrate our practices as an equal opportunity employer that fosters a supportive, diverse, and inclusive workplace for our people, and we are committed to continuing this effort in the years to come. It is a shame that the DFEH did not want to engage with us on what they thought they were seeing in their investigation.
The problem is, this is what someone thinks is happening. I donât doubt that Blizzard have written codes of conduct and similar that insist people be decent human beings. Some people will believe that is indeed how their company behaves.
Unfortunately, Blizzard also has a reputation for overworked and underpaid staff.
What is actually happening on the âshop floorâ likely doesnât look anything like company policy as written. Middle management can close ranks faster than a republican senate and block the view from the outside.
It is really important that whoever inside Blizzard thinks their company is innocent heads up an immediate investigation and works out whoâs covering for who. Iâm sure they have some good eggs; but they will also have some rotten stinkers.
Obviously, anyone and everyone will defend themselves when faced with allegations, regardless of whether they did it or not. Of course theyâre going to deny any wrongdoings.
This doesnât change the fact, however, that Activision Blizzard have been notorious in regards to work ethic and work atmosphere, with a lot of employees (anonymous or otherwise) complaining about low salaries, unpaid overtime or denied vacation (unlike in the EU where you are required by law to at least 2 weeks vacation).
On top of the other number of criticism regarding the top management, mishandling of products and bad reviews on gamer articles, this is just one more nail to the coffin.
O so women who kill themselves because of a toxic GAMERSTM workplace is now:
If Blizzard could keep itâs act together for just 1 week, I prolly wouldnât be able to post anything at all. But alas they canât. This is a pretty big deal which I already see some GamersTM canât see.
There is no attempt, you are clearly a GamerTM who doesnât care about anyone but himself. If you donât like this thread or any others, do us all a favor and go back to your mobile game.
You really should drop your fake âi careâ act, we both know you donât give a damn about what is happening there. You only jump on this bandwagon because it fits your agenda. It is actually you who only cares about himself.
O Iâm sorry do you know me? I donât think you do. IF you did, but you donât, youâd know that I HATE GamersTM much more than I hate retail wow. I am very active on other forums advocating for better working conditions for all working in the industry whenever a company screw up like this. This time itâs Blizzard and I happen to have a subscription.
Why do you think I call you all addicts, boomers? On other forums I use cheeto snorting edgelords or g-fuel injecting basement dwellers cause fits the style more there. Itâs because I dislike the stereotypical gamer a LOT. For reasons obvious I think by now.
This is pure coincidence. I dislike Blizzard already AND I happend to dislike these things greatly for years now. Now go back to your mobile game.
Aand that is the problem. If something is inclusive for all, itâs inclusive for no-one. Not everyone has to fit in, not every minority has to be represented everywhere.
Duty of care, employee laws, basic morality, all the usual stuff. Would you prefer to live in a world where companies where allowed to fob off any complaints by simply firing the individuals?
If a law suit has been brought itâs because the prosecutor feels the company as a whole fostered these behaviours.
