The last few months have been turbulent for Activision Blizzard, with widespread allegations of misconduct, sexual harassment, and discrimination against employees emerging following a two year-long DFEH investigation, which in turn has led to the company being sued and investigated by more governing bodies. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick claimed previously that anyone found to have been involved in the aforementioned practices or anyone found hampering investigations into the same in any way would be “held accountable for their actions.”
In an email sent to Activision Blizzard employees by executive vice president for corporate affairs Fran Townsend (via VGC), updates have been provided on how that’s going. According to Townsend, over 20 people have been fired from their positions across the company in response to the allegations, while over twenty more have “faced other types of disciplinary action.”
Townsend’s email also claims that various company-wide measures are being taken to address any and all complaints arising within the company, including tripling investment in training, making improvements to the Employee Relations Team, adding 22 full-time roles to its Ethics and Compliance team, and more.
“We are committed to making meaningful and positive change, and this is just the start,” Townsend writes. “We will be sharing additional updates in the coming weeks and months. We know there is always more work to do. We are committed to continuing that work.
“Please continue to share your ideas and suggestions, in whatever ways you want to send them. We will work hard every day to earn your trust and confidence. Together, let’s ensure that we always have a safe, inclusive, and ethical workplace that makes us all proud.”
Of all the departures from the company in the wake of the DFEH lawsuit, the ones that are publicly known are Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack, Diablo 4 game director Luis Barriga, lead designer Jesse McCree, and World of Warcraft designer Jonathan LeCraft, among others.
The DFEH lawsuit is one of several legal fronts that Activision Blizzard has been involved in of late. The SEC is currently investigating the company as well, while it also recently reached a settlement worth $18 million with the EEOC. Recently, Activision Blizzard also recruited two new people to occupy the Chief People Officer and Chief Commercial Officer positions. Read more on that through here.
