Activision Blizzard employees plan walkout following lawsuit
After hundreds signed a letter calling for change, some are planning further action.
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Update 7:38 p.m. ET: Blizzard reportedly told employees that it’s offering paid time off for those participating in the walkout.
What you need to know
Activision Blizzard employees are planning a walkout in protest to the company’s response to the ongoing lawsuit, perBloomberg. This lawsuit followed a two-year investigation by the State of California, whichallegesthat Activision Blizzard has fostered a “frat boy” workplace environment, with multiple cases of sexist behavior towards women, alongside allegations of abuse.
The strike is planned for Wednesday outside of Blizzard’s office in Irvine, California. Striking employees are demanding new guidelines for recruiting, interviewing, hiring and promoting, alongside the ability to publicize salary information and a third-party audit of the company leadership and HR department.
Activision Blizzard’s responseto the lawsuit has proven mixed so far, with Blizzard president J. Allen Brack saying that “I feel angry, sad, and a host of other emotions, but I also feel grateful to work alongside a set of leaders and thousands of employees who join me in their commitment to continuous improvement.”
Meanwhile, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs Frances Townsend took a different tone, indicating that the lawsuit contained “distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard’s past.”
In response, over 800 Activision Blizzard employeessigned an open lettercalling for “immediate corrections” while also noting that “…our values as employees are not accurately reflected in the words and actions of our leadership.”
Activision Blizzard is a massive publisher responsible for large gaming franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo and more. The company saw recordQ4 2020 revenueof over $2.4 billion. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotickhas not yet commented on the lawsuit.
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Update: Blizzard reportedly offers paid time off for walkout participants
According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Blizzard told employees participating in the walkout on Wednesday that it’ll be offering paid time off.
Blizzard told employees this afternoon it will offer paid time off to those participating in tomorrow’s walk-outBlizzard told employees this afternoon it will offer paid time off to those participating in tomorrow’s walk-out— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier)July 27, 2021July 27, 2021
The walkout is expected to take place from 10 p.m.-2 p.m. PT.
Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter@SamuelTolbert.
