More Change, More Equality
Over the past week, Activision Blizzard has faced countless allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and gender inequality. The allegations resulted in the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing officially suing them and taking them to court.
In the official statement released by Activision Blizzards’s CEO, Bobby Kotick has promised new policies that he hopes would change the workplace environment for the better. These new policies include personnel changes and new hiring processes, listening sessions, employee support, and in-game changes.
“We are taking swift action to be the compassionate, caring company you came to work for and to ensure a safe environment. There is no place anywhere at our Company for discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment of any kind,” wrote Bobby Kotick. “It is imperative that we acknowledge all perspectives and experiences and respect the feelings of those who have been mistreated in any way. I am sorry that we did not provide the right empathy and understanding,”
Activision Blizzard’s infamous “World of Warcraft” game has also released a statement yesterday, following in-game protests where hundreds of players from both factions sat quietly in the city of Oribos to express their dismay and frustration.
A message from the #Warcraft team. pic.twitter.com/3gWCz1gu8T
— World of Warcraft (@Warcraft) July 27, 2021
It is worth mentioning that the employees of Activision Blizzard are set to hold their own protest today at the company’s main campus in Irvine, CA. It’s also expected that former employees will be joining their former colleagues to support their call for more rooted changes.
Employees at ActivisionBlizzard are on the forefront fighting for equity in treatment and protection from abusers in the industry.
These are their very reasonable demands for the #ActiBlizzWalkout tomorrow.
I'm very proud of everyone showing up. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AkuV6SobXz— Grant Parker ? (@GrantPDesign) July 27, 2021
As a former employee, I lost count at how many incidents of harassment I witnessed/experienced with no reliable HR to help. If change doesn’t happen naturally, we’ll force it. Please lend your support to those advocating for change on the frontlines. #ActiBlizzWalkout pic.twitter.com/ioKgOVzvfT
— ? Sara Dadafshar ? (@npcSara) July 27, 2021
It is yet to be seen if the recent statement by the company’s CEO will make any difference in public opinion, and if the call for protests will actually materialize later today.