A brand new Wall Street Journal report says Activision Blizzard has fireplace or pushed out 37 staff since July 2021 as a part of the corporate’s investigation into complaints of sexual harassment and different office misconduct, whereas 44 extra have confronted different types of self-discipline. The report additionally reveals that the corporate has collected roughly 700 experiences of doable office misconduct—a few of them separate experiences about the identical incidents—over the identical interval.
Sources additionally advised the positioning {that a} abstract of these actions was set to be launched forward of the vacation break, however was held again by CEO Bobby Kotick over issues that they might make the corporate’s issues appear much more severe than was already identified.
An Activision Blizzard consultant confirmed that 37 staff have “exited” the corporate on account of its investigations into complaints, and that 44 others have been disciplined. The rep disputed the report of 700 complaints, nonetheless, saying that feedback from staff included statements made on social media and coated a variety of issues, solely “a small quantity” of which have been probably severe allegations. The rep additionally mentioned that “the assertion relating to Mr. Kotick is unfaithful,” and that “our focus is ensuring we now have correct knowledge and evaluation to share.”
Allegations of widespread harassment, discrimination, and a “frat boy” tradition at Activision Blizzard first got here to gentle in July 2021, within the wake of a lawsuit filed in opposition to the corporate by California’s Division of Truthful Employment and Housing. Shortly after that, Kotick promised wholesale adjustments on the firm, pledging that “people will be held responsible for their actions,” and later took a symbolic pay cut.
However he is been below rising strain to step down since a November follow-up report alleging that Kotick was aware of sexual misconduct allegations on the firm for years, had in actual fact harassed one in every of his personal assistants, and even threatened to have her killed in 2006. That sparked requires his elimination from staff, shareholders, and even a political activist group. In December, six US state treasurers despatched a letter to Activision Blizzard asking for a gathering with its board to debate issues outlined by the SOC Funding Group, which in November called on Kotick to resign “for failing to acknowledge and deal with” the corporate’s issues.
For now, nonetheless, Kotick stays in his place with the general public assist of Activision Blizzard’s board of administrators, which in November 2021 expressed confidence in his “management, dedication and skill to realize [the company’s] targets.” and “that Bobby Kotick appropriately addressed office points delivered to his consideration,”
