Still grappling with (among other things) a California state investigation into workplace sexual harassment and discrimination cases, Activision-Blizzard has reached a settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that could harm this investigation.
In any case, this is what the documents revealed on Twitter by Stephen Totilo, co-author of the newsletter with our colleagues Axios Gaming, report.
A maneuver to get rid of justice?
Last July, the State of California targeted Activision-Blizzard for discrimination and sexual harassment. An investigation still open today, supported by a federal authority which cited Bobby Kotick and other executives of the company to appear. Both the State of California and the federal entity have accused Activision-Blizzard of concealing evidence essential to the proper conduct of the investigation.
At the end of September, Bobby Kotick's company undertook to sign an agreement with the EEOC aimed at improving the situation within the company. However, according to the State of California, this agreement could be a maneuver to discharge its ongoing investigation. The documents discovered indicate that the said agreement could cause “irreparable damage” to it.
On the one hand, the terms of the agreement with the EEOC indicate that employees must waive their claims of sexual harassment or discrimination under California law against Activision-Blizzard. On the other hand, these terms appear to authorize the destruction or alteration of evidence crucial to the proper conduct of the investigation initiated by the State of California.
A return to normal at Activision-Blizzard despite everything?
If the State of California is not satisfied with the choices made by Activision-Blizzard vis-à-vis its own investigation, the situation within the company seems to have improved since this summer. Internally, many employees have been ousted from their positions, such as J. Allen Brack, ex-president of Blizzard, or even employees held responsible for the infamous
« Cosby Suite ».
In the company's own games, any reference to sexual harassment or voluntary or unintentional discrimination by Activision-Blizzard is gradually being erased. This is particularly the case on Overwatch, in which the character of McCree will be renamed, or even on World of Warcraft, where content has been modified for more inclusiveness. After withdrawing their support from the Call of Duty and Overwatch e-sports leagues, the historical sponsors also seem to be returning to Activision-Blizzard's flagship FPSs.
Many encouraging signs in short, indicating that society has learned the lesson after this important controversy, but which in no way guarantee a real return to normal. We will have to wait several more weeks and months to see what repercussions the agreement with the EEOC will have on working conditions within it. Or in this case how much said agreement will prejudice the various investigations against Activision-Blizzard.
