“Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Candy Crush” are all products of Activision Blizzard. According to surfacing allegations, so are sexual assault, racial harassment, and workplace belittlement.
Popular shows like “Mythic Quest” and “Good Trouble” address the struggles that women and people of color face in the “frat boy” culture that tends to dominate gaming communities and production companies. Unfortunately, even after the #MeToo movement, Black Lives Matter protests, and a statement from Activision’s CEO insisting that it’s “imperative that we acknowledge all perspectives and experiences,” those concerns are not a thing of the past.
“I am appalled at the conduct that is detailed in the State of California’s lawsuit for sexual harassment and discrimination against Activision Blizzard,” said Jessica Pride, the managing partner at The Pride Law Firm. “Sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace is illegal and should not be tolerated in a civilized society – by anyone.”
Game development often involves marathon-style work and cultivates an unhealthy “eat-sleep-breathe” mentality. It’s similar to the issues faced by Disney park workers who are willing to sleep in cars and suffer financially just to be a part of the “magic.” Activision Blizzard is the largest video game producer in the world, and 41% of the video gamers in the United States are female.
According to Pride, “If Activision Blizzard wants to continue to be a player in the video game world, they need to respect the women that work for them and help create the games. I don’t want my daughter playing a game built on the backs of women who were sexually harassed, discriminated against, and abused.”
Regarding the sexual harassment lawsuit Activision Blizzard was named in, an on-campus walkout of Activision Blizzard employees in Irvine, CA was joined globally by a company-wide electronic sign-out. This is an indication of solidarity and a common understanding of employee mistreatment.
The allegations surrounding Activision Blizzard include:
- Harassment: Sexist humiliation, gamification, and “guilting” teenaged employees into dating higher-ups. Reportedly, multiple dozens of HR reports were logged, but the bad behavior went unchanged.
- Racism: Mean-spirited “jokes,” belittlement, isolation, and otherizing, again behavior that was reported but largely ignored and unaddressed. Top leadership at the company is exclusively male and white according to the lawsuit filed in California.
- Intimidation: Huge wage disparities are part of the silencing tactics that discourage and covertly penalize those who don’t “fit” with the toxic tone.
If you have questions or know you’re in need of experienced legal counsel, call The Pride Law Firm at (619) 516-8166 to speak with our dedicated Survivor AdvTocate today.
Workers are entitled to fair pay, non-toxic work environments, and the freedom to voice complaints without retaliation. Call The Pride Law Firm at (619) 516-8166 for fierce help in asserting those rights.
Reach Out to The Pride Law Firm For Representation
Workers in California are entitled to fair pay and non-toxic workplaces. California law specifies their sexual harassment definition as “unwelcome sexual advances, or other visual, verbal, or physical conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.”
Women have the right to work in an environment that is safe and free from “bro” culture that supports the degradation of women both within and outside the office. We applaud the State of California for shedding light on this toxic workplace and to the brave women who have come forward to tell their stories.
We here at The Pride Law Firm handle cases of sexual harassment in the workplace for California, and nationwide. If you have questions about your rights or require legal representation for the Activision Blizzard lawsuit, sexual harassment issues, or on-the-job harassment, call us today at (619) 516-8166, or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. You are entitled to a non-abusive workplace, and we are here to help assert your rights.
