Current:Home > NewsCalifornia Sues Gaming Giant Activision Blizzard Over Unequal Pay, Sexual Harassment-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
California Sues Gaming Giant Activision Blizzard Over Unequal Pay, Sexual Harassment
View Date:2024-12-23 20:09:37
The video game studio behind the hit franchises Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush is facing a civil lawsuit in California over allegations of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and potential violations of the state's equal pay law.
A complaint, filed by the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing on Wednesday, alleges that Activision Blizzard Inc. "fostered a sexist culture" where women were paid less than men and subjected to ongoing sexual harassment including groping. (Activision and Blizzard Entertainment merged in 2008.)
Officials at the gaming company knew about the harassment and not only failed to stop it but retaliated against women who spoke up, the complaint also alleges.
Years after the online harassment campaign known as Gamergate targeted women in the video game world, the California lawsuit depicts an industry that can still be unwelcoming and even hostile to female employees.
"All employers should ensure that their employees are being paid equally and take all steps to prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation," said DFEH Director Kevin Kish. "This is especially important for employers in male-dominated industries, such as technology and gaming."
In a statement provided to NPR, an Activision Blizzard spokesperson said the company had worked to improve its company culture in recent years and accused the DFEH of not adequately trying to resolve the claims against it before resorting to a lawsuit.
"The DFEH includes distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard's past," the statement read. "The picture the DFEH paints is not the Blizzard workplace of today."
Women employees were paid less and assigned lower-level jobs, the complaint says
The lawsuit alleges that Activision Blizzard's female workers who spoke to investigators "almost universally confirmed" that their time at the company was "akin to working in a frat house."
Male employees drank on the job and came to work hungover, the lawsuit said. The alleged sexual harassment ranged from comments about women's bodies and jokes about rape to the unwanted touching of female employees by their male peers.
The complaint, which was the result of a two-year investigation by DFEH, claims that the unequal treatment of women went beyond company culture to the more formal parts of their jobs.
Women were allegedly paid less than men, both when they were hired and during the course of their employment. They were also assigned to lower-level positions and passed over for promotions, despite doing more work than their male peers in some cases, according to the lawsuit. One woman said her manager told her she wouldn't be promoted because "she might get pregnant and like being a mom too much."
The sex discrimination was even worse for women of color, the suit claims. At least two African-American women reported being singled out and micromanaged.
Some of the women who came forward with complaints of discrimination or harassment faced involuntary transfers, were selected for layoffs or were denied certain opportunities, the suit said.
Activision Blizzard says it doesn't tolerate sexual misconduct
Activision Blizzard, in its statement, said it did not tolerate sexual misconduct or harassment and noted that investigated all claims, adding that it was making it easier for employees to report violations.
The company also said it strives to pay its employees "fairly for equal or substantially similar work" and ensure that pay is driven by "non-discriminatory factors," such as performance.
"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," the spokesperson said. "It is a shame that the DFEH did not want to engage with us on what they thought they were seeing in their investigation."
But several former employees took to social media Wednesday after the lawsuit was filed to corroborate some of the allegations it contained.
"Blizzard has claimed that the DFEH report is false/misleading/irresponsible," former Blizzard Entertainment employee Cher Scarlett tweeted. "I can tell you that I knew what was going to be in this report before I read it because during my time there - for only a YEAR - I witnessed ALL OF THESE THINGS."
veryGood! (94)
Related
- Threat closes Spokane City Hall and cancels council meeting in Washington state
- Can Falcons rise up to meet lofty expectations for fortified roster?
- Ella Travolta honors late mom Kelly Preston in new song, shares old home videos
- How many points did Caitlin Clark score Friday? Lynx snap Fever's five-game win streak
- Who is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman Donald Trump picked to serve as attorney general?
- Trouble brewing for Colorado, Utah? Bold predictions for Week 2 in college football
- 2-year-old boy fatally stabbed by older brother in Chicago-area home, police say
- Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open, defeating American Jessica Pegula in final
- When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
- This climate change fix could save the world — or doom it
Ranking
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- Score 50% off Old Navy Jeans All Weekend -- Shop Chic Denim Styles Starting at $17
- Huge payout expected for a rare coin bought by Ohio farm family and hidden for decades
- Students are sweating through class without air conditioning. Districts are facing the heat.
- Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
- Tropical system set to drench parts of Gulf Coast, could strengthen, forecasters say
- Cars talking to one another could help reduce fatal crashes on US roads
- Who is the highest-paid NFL player? Ranking the highest NFL contracts for 2024 season
Recommendation
-
Kirk Herbstreit berates LSU fans throwing trash vs Alabama: 'Enough is enough, clowns'
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Romantic Weekend Includes Wedding and U.S. Open Dates
-
15-year-old boy fatally shot by fellow student in Maryland high school bathroom
-
Mother of Georgia shooting suspect said she called school before attack, report says
-
Surprise bids revive hope for offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico after feds cancel lease sale
-
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels scores first career NFL touchdown on run
-
When is US Open men's final? How to watch Taylor Fritz vs Jannik Sinner
-
Just how rare is a rare-colored lobster? Scientists say answer could be under the shell