Over 40% of Paradox employees feel discriminated against -apkrig
As in the case of Activision or Ubisoft, the Swedish company Paradox Interactive is affected by the problem of corporate culture and discrimination in the workplace. This is the result of a questionnaire from two trade unions – Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer – which addressed the employees of the company in Sweden anonymously and are now drawing conclusions. Of the total number of approximately 400 employees, 133 took part in the survey, and the results show that almost half have experienced abuse or discrimination. “One would think that the survey would show something, given that the gaming industry is not exactly the most welcoming place to work. But the scope surprised me, “said an anonymous source of Breakit magazine, which is to be employed by Paradox. The summary of the results also shows that the problems mainly concern bullying and gender discrimination – 69% of women surveyed said that they had experienced harsh treatment, while the same approach was to apply to just 33 percent of men.
The unions therefore come up with a relatively serious accusation that abuse in the Paradox is a systemic and, above all, very common problem, followed by statements that there is a culture of silence in the company. According to Breakit magazine, almost no one who has experienced harassment feels that the problem will actually be solved later, and it is believed that the perpetrators of such acts are protected at the managerial level of companies. It is therefore logical that the unions are demanding strong measures from the management of Paradox, which they have informed both HR Director Marina Hedman and CEO Ebbu Ljungerud, who, however, announced her registration at almost the same time. Therefore, the wheels of speculation are spinning, as the conclusions of the trade union questionnaires are related to the departure of Ebby Ljudgerud, but the new leadership is trying to suppress all misinformation and declares that there is no connection.
The results of the employee survey are, of course, very worrying. The company’s management wants to ensure that an adequate response arrives.
Officially, Ljungerud decided to leave the company on the basis of its own decision and because it does not share with the broader management the same views on the future strategy of Paradox. This was also confirmed by the old-new CEO Fredrik Wester, who denied that the survey among employees would play a role in the departure of Ljungerud and indicated that he could soon talk about exactly what he did not agree with the departing director. “It simply came to our notice then. I’ll get back to you when I can answer, maybe next week, “Wester told the editors of the Swedish magazine, referring them to a spokesman who came up with an official response to the questionnaire. “The results of the employee survey are, of course, very worrying. The company’s management wants to ensure that there is an adequate response, but taking immediate direct action is legally difficult due to the informal nature of the whole survey, “says Paradox officially and outlines the way forward.
This should include an audit by an independent company to review internal reporting and resolution procedures for discrimination and harassment in the workplace. “We will also have them conduct a comprehensive survey that will provide us with clearly defined and usable data that we can use to make burst changes,” says Paradox, leaving the question of how effective such an approach will be. As we indicated in the introduction, it is the alleged inactivity of the management after similar statements irritates the employees of Activision and Ubisoft, when they claim that behind the pleasing words and elaborate presentation of the company there is only apathy and reluctance to change anything. A game expert and a reporter for Swedish Radio, who, according to her, heard about the company, also spoke about the situation in Paradox. much good and said employees have a signed collective agreement and many of them are in unions. “But maybe there are bigger problems that we haven’t realized yet and it depends on how the management decides to solve the situation,” Effie Karabuda added for Breakit.
