Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, speaks out on the company’s crisis in his tax report
Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, speaks out on the company’s crisis in his tax report
The director warns that there will be layoffs among those who obstruct the investigations.
In the framework of what could be classified as one of the worst internal crises of Activision Blizzard, Bobby Kotick, CEO of the company, today opened the quarterly report of operations of the same emphasizing its commitment to creating a safe work environment . Along with this, it establishes 5 actions to take to face the situation, among which is the ratification of Jennifer Oneal and Mike Ybarra as responsible for Blizzard, before the departure of now former president J. Allen Brack .
Managers who have obstructed investigations will be firedLikewise, Kotick said that internal investigations with more resources will continue , managers who have obstructed investigations or disciplinary measures will be fired, diversity in the search for candidates for vacancies in all areas will be increased and, as previously established , those in-game content cataloged as inappropriate by both company members and users will be changed.
Activision Blizzard’s first reaction to the accusations from the state of California was denial. Kotick acknowledged that the company’s first response had been insensitive and established 5 steps to follow , very similar to those previously exposed, with the exception of one that does not appear in today’s investor call: the listening sessions . According to company employees, instead of facilitating communication, Activision Blizzard has limited free association of workers, reducing the size of listening sessions and restricting access to them.
It should be noted that Activision Blizzard employees responded to Kotick’s first statement with their own set of requests and a warning that the protest will continue.
What’s going on?
About a week ago, the California Department of Housing and Fair Employment filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard after more than two years of investigation . In it, they allege that the company promotes a hostile culture against women, with harassment and dismissal.
After that, alternate testimonies about toxic and incorrect practices surfaced , including the case of an employee accused of putting cameras in one of the company’s bathrooms.
Needless to say, the effect of this situation has been serious for Activision Blizzard, affecting its stock market performance, which in turn has led to lawsuits from shareholders . And it is not the only or the first video game company to face a crisis of this nature.
