Activision employees call for a change in corporate culture -apkrig
The Office of the Office for Fair Working Conditions (DEFH) against Activision Blizzard has sparked another very unpleasant case, which is nevertheless a source of important debates and discussions on the topic of fair treatment of all employees in the video game industry. The lawsuit, which came after a two-year investigation by the office, was, according to Activision’s management, the result of “irresponsible government work” when, according to one of the world’s largest game publishers, it was supposed to be preceded by a report and details of the investigation. J. Allen Brack, the current president of Blizzard, whose alleged e-mail was received by journalist Jason Schreier, was also to comment internally on the case, and there was also an apology from former company president Mike Morhaim. However, in the next round of this case, the employees themselves, who en masse signed an open letter in which the management’s procedure, including the first reaction to the filed lawsuit, is sharply criticized, will take the floor.
Activision Blizzard executive Fran Townsend, who was the Homeland Security Advisor to George W. Bush from 2004-2007 and joined Activision in March, sent out a very different kind of email that has some Blizzard employees fuming. pic.twitter.com/BxGeMTuRYF
– Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) July 23, 2021
After some of the employees spoke on social media – and it was not a word of support for their employer, but a critical commentary on what is happening at Activision and Blizzard – comes a long letter signed by almost 2,000 current employees. It is addressed to the management and the employees express their disagreement with what was said at the official level about the case. They are bothered by the attempt to downplay the lawsuit, but also by the statement of manager Frances Townsend, who last week in an internal report – again published by Jason Schreier – defended Activision’s actions, calling it a safe and fair place to work, and calling the lawsuit irresponsible and completely pointless.
The management of our company has stated that measures will be taken to protect us, but in the face of legal action – and subsequent worrying official reactions – we no longer believe that management will prioritize the safety of employees over its own interests.
“We believe these statements have undermined our ongoing commitment to equality inside and outside the industry. Designation of the claim [ze žaloby] considered distorted and in many ways untrue, creates an atmosphere in society in which victims are not trusted, ”states the employees. They do not like the fact that the management of Activision Blizzard is not able to hold the aggressors to account and is not more active in protecting the victims. “Our company’s management has stated that measures will be taken to protect us, but in the face of legal action – and subsequent worrying official reactions – we no longer believe that management will prioritize employee safety over its own interests,” the employees added.
They also point out that it is unacceptable to call the lawsuit irresponsible and pointless when there are so many cases of harassment of current and former employees, and call for Frances Townsend to resign as executive manager of the women’s network of Activision, Blizzard and King employees. They also want executives to talk to them about planned changes in the company’s culture and ask for a safe place for themselves and the entire fan community where they can express themselves and apply for their rights. “We will not be silenced, we will not stand aside and we will not give up until the company we love becomes a workplace we can all be proud of,” the employees conclude.
