The Electronic Arts-owned company has agreed to pay $18 million in a settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, after it was accused of discriminating against female employees.
The eeoc meaning is a word that has been used in the past to describe an insult or injury. In this case, it describes Activision-Blizzard’s $18M settlement with the EEOC as a slap in the face.
We reported on a proposed settlement between Activision-Blizzard and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Monday night. In connection with the business’s continuing sexual harassment and discrimination issue, the EEOC was one of four state and federal authorities investigating and/or suing the corporation. Blizzard, on the other hand, revealed intentions to resolve EEOC-related lawsuits by setting up a $18 million fund to “compensate and make apologies to qualified claimants,” with the remaining funds going to “as authorized by the EEOC” charities.
Disapproval from inside the business was nearly instantaneous, as gamers and employees hastened to point out that although $18 million may seem like a good deal for a few victims, we’re talking about a lot of claims since the Cosby Crew days, and it’s also not a large amount in perspective. The company Activision-Blizzard is valued at approximately $72 billion dollars. This year, Bobby Kotick will earn $155 million. According to the company’s most recent sales report, it generates approximately $25 million each day. As a result, $18 million does not seem to be adequate compensation or punishment for years of abusive behavior. It might be seen as a slap on the wrist in this situation.
If that’s your viewpoint, you’ll be relieved to learn that labor organizers share it. The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees, a gaming-related section of the Communications Workers of America union, slammed the settlement, calling it “pennies in comparison to the resources available to this cash-rich company.”
CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens said, “The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has conveyed a message that corporate bad actors will not be held responsible for their exploitation of employees.”
It’s past time for bad corporate actors to face REAL consequences—workers deserve just as much, if not more. pic.twitter.com/mfbsxZmfsc
September 29, 2021 — CODE-CWA (@CODE CWA)
Multiple Blizzard employees and executives have been fired as a result of the California DFEH’s initial lawsuit, sponsors have abandoned the company, and the California DFEH has accused the company of interfering with witnesses and shredding evidence related to the lawsuit, as we’ve been reporting since July. We’ve also highlighted the company’s growing labor movement, which Activision-Blizzard has addressed by hiring a union-busting outfit. Activision-Blizzard has yet to recognize or respond to any of the proto-legitimate union’s requests. Blizzard now confronts the California case, the National Labor Relations Board action, and the SEC probe, with the EOCC satisfied.
The whole saga:
• Activision-Blizzard says it’s settling with the EEOC, committing $18 million to victims and charities • WoW Factor: World of Warcraft replacing sexualized artwork misses the point • Activision-Blizzard is now being investigated by four state and federal regulators as its top legal VP departs • Activision-Blizzard is now being investigated by four state and federal regulators as its top legal VP departs Is Blizzard’s decision to “desexualize” graphics in World of Warcraft justified? The SEC has issued subpoenas to Activision-Blizzard executives, including Bobby Kotick. • Overlords of Outland and Shadowlands are promoted in World of Warcraft. As labor organizers take on Activision-Blizzard, 9.1.5 is released. • In patch 9.1.5, World of Warcraft eliminates references to previous workers as well as the AoE limit. Mike Ybarra of Blizzard confirms that Ion Hazzikostas is still in charge of World of Warcraft. Blizzard is boosting subscriptions by giving away plenty of Hearthstone and World of Warcraft treasure. • Blizzard is altering the name of Overwatch’s character McCree • Blizzard is changing the name of Overwatch’s character McCree Activision-Blizzard HR allegedly ‘shredded’ evidence in a California case. Complete coverage of the Blizzard sexual harassment and discrimination controversy • WoW Factor: What do changes in Blizzard management imply for World of Warcraft? • Overwatch League loses more sponsors as employees expose Activision-toxic Blizzard’s culture Blizzard has reportedly fired three more important developers, including the game director for Diablo IV. • Blizzard employees address the disadvantages of boycotts, players lament WoW’s severe fall • Activision-Blizzard shareholder group slams reaction to scandal, wants board change • Activision-Blizzard employees address the downsides of boycotts, gamers lament WoW’s deep decline • Activision-Blizzard: Frances Townsend steps down from one studio position, Jeff Kurtenacker leaves • Diablo community manager describes poor pay, a sexually hostile atmosphere, and abuse at Blizzard • Activision-Blizzard sexism scandal day 17: More esports sponsors contemplate leaving Overwatch League • Activision-Blizzard sexism scandal day 18: More esports sponsors consider ditching Overwatch League Blizzard may live on, but it will never be Blizzard again, according to the patch notes. • Activision-Blizzard Day 14: Exit interviews with Brack and Meschuk, a fraud lawsuit, a proto-union, and Q2 financials In the second quarter of 2021, Activision’s sales are up, while Blizzard’s MAUs are down due to a sexism controversy. By not working at Blizzard, the gamer in the notorious BlizzCon video claims she “dodged a bullet.” J. Allen Brack, the CEO of Blizzard, is stepping down ahead of today’s investor call. Jeff Strain, a former co-founder of ArenaNet, has called for gaming developers to form a union. • Has Blizzard’s sexism lawsuit changed your gaming plans? • WoW Factor: Why does this latest Blizzard scandal feel so different? • Blizzard Day 9: Ubisoft stands in solidarity, Ashes of Creation buys Blizzard workers lunch • Activision-Blizzard walkout organizers respond to Kotick, Kotaku exposes ‘Cosb’ Does Every Voice Matter at Blizzard? • Massively OP Podcast Episode 332: Does Every Voice Matter at Blizzard? Blizzard employees are planning a strike over a sexism controversy, and the World of Warcraft team is addressing the playerbase. • Casually Classic: Deciding whether or not to leave World of Warcraft The sexism issue at Blizzard continues, with 2500 developers signing a letter criticizing Acti-reaction. Blizz’s MMO Week in Review: The Blizzard You Thought You Knew Has Passed Away • Blizzard’s culture of “abuse, inequity, and apathy” has been apologized for by Chris Metzen. ‘I am very sorry that I failed you,’ Mike Morhaime says to female Blizzard employees. The World of Warcraft Factor: No monarch can reign forever Activision pushes down on deflection as J Allen Brack confronts Blizzard employees over sexism controversy Furious World of Warcraft gamers conduct a protest against Activision Blizzard • California has filed a lawsuit against Activision-Blizzard for discrimination and a misogynistic, poisonous workplace atmosphere.
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