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SAN FRANCISCO (AFP, REUTERS) – Activision Blizzard reached a deal Monday, September 27, with a US federal agency to resolve complaints alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination, but the video game maker remains the target other inquiries and complaints.
In August, the company behind Call Of Duty and World Of Warcraft promised change with a management reshuffle following long-standing allegations of sexism and discrimination.
Under the agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Activision pledged to create a compensation fund for those who qualify, according to a statement.
The company will donate US $ 18 million (S $ 24.4 million) into the fund, and any remaining money will be divided between charities that fight for the advancement of women in the video game industry, or more generally for diversity and equality.
“Employees were subjected (to) sexual harassment that was severe or pervasive,†said the complaint filed earlier Monday by the EEOC. The company “knew or should have known of the sexual harassment of the aggrieved employees.”
The EEOC had investigated allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation at Activision for three years.
California-based Activision unveiled a management reshuffle in early August, following employee protests and a lawsuit in the state of California alleging the company allowed toxic working conditions and discrimination to towards women.
The reshuffle came a week after workers came out to protest sexism and harassment, as a call was made online to boycott blockbuster titles like Candy Crush.
“I am grateful to the employees who courageously shared their experiences,” Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said in the statement.
“I am sorry anyone has experienced inappropriate conduct, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to making Activision Blizzard one of the most inclusive, respected and respectful workplaces in the world.”
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Activision to determine whether it properly disclosed the harassment and discrimination charges.
An industry union, the Communications Workers of America, announced two weeks ago that it had filed a complaint against Activision for “worker intimidation and anti-unionism.”
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