Last week, during Activision Blizzard’s investor’s call, concerns were raised by shareholders regarding the company’s response to a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The lawsuit alleges a toxic workplace culture and violations of civil rights and equal pay laws, particularly concerning the treatment of women and marginalized groups. One shareholder, an investment group called SOC, is now demanding that the company take action to address these issues.
According to SOC’s statement, Activision Blizzard’s CEO, Bobby Kotick, made promises that the group believes are insufficient to address the deep-seated problems of equity, inclusion, and human capital management within the company. SOC executive director Dieter Waizeneggar expressed concern that no concrete changes have been announced by the company to improve the working conditions mentioned in the DFEH case. This includes the lack of changes to the process for filling vacancies in the board of directors and senior management positions, as well as the absence of changes related to executive pay.
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SOC also highlights concerns about the law firm chosen to investigate the allegations: Wilmer Hale, the same firm that handled Amazon’s efforts to prevent workers from unionizing. This choice has been met with criticism from many in the gaming industry, including numerous Activision Blizzard employees who have called for a different investigative body. SOC questions the firm’s track record in uncovering wrongdoing and doubts the lead investigator’s experience in handling a case of this nature.
In addition to these concerns, SOC requests an increase in board diversity by adding a woman director with a proven history of advocating for marginalized communities by the end of the year. They believe this is a crucial step towards achieving a more gender-diverse board by 2025. SOC further demands a cut to executive bonuses for individuals involved in or enabling abusive behavior, with no bonuses awarded for the remainder of the year. They propose that future bonuses should be contingent on the company’s achievement of verifiable milestones for diversity and equity.
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While Bobby Kotick has released a statement pledging change and vowing to set an example for the inclusion of the gaming industry, many employees have expressed skepticism and a lack of trust in the company’s public declaration. SOC concludes their statement by urging Activision Blizzard and the board to go beyond the current inadequate response from management and take decisive steps to safeguard their investment against financial, operational, and reputational risks.
For more details on the ongoing proceedings and the specific allegations against Activision Blizzard, please refer to our previous coverage here.
FAQs
Q: What is the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard about?
A: The lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing alleges a toxic workplace culture and violations of civil rights and equal pay laws, with a focus on the treatment of women and marginalized groups.
Q: What demands has SOC made as a shareholder?
A: SOC has demanded concrete changes from Activision Blizzard, including improvements in working conditions, an increase in board diversity, and a reduction in executive bonuses tied to abusive behavior.
Q: Why is the choice of law firm being criticized?
A: The law firm Wilmer Hale, chosen to investigate the allegations, has faced criticism due to its involvement in Amazon’s efforts to prevent workers from unionizing. Many feel that a different firm should lead the investigation.
Conclusion
Activision Blizzard faces mounting shareholder demands for positive change in response to the recent lawsuit and allegations of a toxic workplace culture. SOC, an investment group, has called out the company’s inadequate response and has outlined specific demands for improvement. As this situation unfolds, it is crucial for Activision Blizzard to take decisive action to address the concerns raised and protect the company’s reputation and financial stability.
Nguồn: https://wqaindia.org
Danh mục: Tin tức
