Activision Blizzard settles discrimination lawsuit out of court with $54 million settlement
Activision Blizzard will pay $54 million to settle a gender discrimination and harassment lawsuit filed against the company in 2021.
Activision Blizzard, recently acquired by Microsoft, has come under intense pressure in recent years, not only due to concerns about potential monopoly building, but also due to repeated accusations of sexism – both of which have resulted in lawsuits from the gaming industry. huge.
However, it appears that a 2021 case brought by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has finally come to a head, with both sides willing to settle. Activision Blizzard will pay approximately $54 million and also take on “new liabilities” when it comes to discrimination policies (via Kotaku).
Activision Blizzard released the following statement: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement today with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) (…) We appreciate the importance of the issues addressed in this agreement and we are committed to fully implementing all new commitments we have made as part of it.”
The announcement further addressed allegations of gender harassment, pay inequality and discrimination. “We are also pleased that the CRD has agreed to file an amended complaint that fully withdraws the 2021 claims of widespread and systemic workplace harassment at Activision Blizzard.”
On what we can expect regarding changes at Activision Blizzard, the CRD has a own press release. “Under the agreement, which is subject to court approval, Activision Blizzard will take additional steps to help ensure fair compensation and promotion practices at the company and provide monetary relief to women who were employees or contract workers in California between October 12, 2015 . ) and December 31, 2020.”
While both sides have avoided a longer legal battle, it's clear that Activision Blizzard still has a lot of work to do if it wants to rebuild trust.
Activision Blizzard is famous for Call of Duty, a series that gave us some of the best FPS games of the last two decades. World of Warcraft, one of the best MMORPGsis also owned by Activision Blizzard.