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Video game publisher Activision Blizzard said on Monday it would pay $18 million in a settlement with a federal employment agency that accused the company of sexual harassment and discrimination against female employees earlier in the day.
Inside newsletterActivision said the money will “compensate and seek compensation to eligible beneficiaries” and the remaining funds will go to charities that “advance women in the video game industry or promote awareness of harassment and gender equality issues,” as well as company diversity and inclusion. efforts.
In a seven-page document filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accused Activision of discriminating against pregnant employees, paying female employees less than their male counterparts because of their gender, and retaliating against employees who filed complaints. tort.
The complaint, which requested a jury hearing, said the employees had been subjected to “violent or widespread sexual harassment to change their terms of employment.” “The behavior was unwelcome and negatively impacted employees.” The complaint said “extensive” talks with Activision had failed to address the agency’s findings and reach an agreement.
The federal agency said the complaint follows a nearly three-year investigation that occurred while a California employment agency was also investigating Activision. government investigation Ended in July case This caused confusion at the game publisher.
The company said Monday’s settlement did not affect the California agency’s case.
Since July, other groups have weighed in. Communications Workers of America, a labor union, I filed a complaint this month. The National Labor Relations Board accused Activision of violating federal labor law, and Activision said last week: Securities and Exchange Commission He was also investigating the company.
The company said Monday it will improve its policies to prevent harassment and discrimination as part of the deal, and will appoint an outside consultant to review Activision’s reporting and investigation procedures.
“There is no place for discrimination, harassment or unequal treatment of any kind anywhere in our company, and I am grateful to employees who bravely share their experiences,” Activision’s CEO Bobby Kotick said in the news release. “I’m sorry that someone had to encounter inappropriate behavior.”
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