In an attempt to address the scathing reports on Activision Blizzard’s alleged abusive culture, the company is forming a workplace responsibility committee.
On Monday, Activision Blizzard announced the formation of this committee that plans to eliminate workplace harassment and discrimination.
“The board of directors today announced that it has formed a Workplace Responsibility Committee,” Activision Blizzard said in a press release. “Initially comprised of two independent directors, to oversee the company’s progress in successfully implementing its new policies, procedures, and commitments to improve workplace culture and eliminate all forms of harassment and discrimination at the company.”
The statement suggests that Activision Blizzard’s board stands behind CEO Bobby Kotick, despite calls from both shareholders and employees asking for his resignation.
Many current Activision Blizzard employees are not impressed by the committee’s formation, though.
Today Activision Blizzard has created a committee to oversee its progress which will be led by… checks notes… two of the Activision Blizzard board members. "We are overseeing ourselves, we promise to be objective." ABK employees asked for a third party not controlled by ABK.
— Valentine Powell 💙🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@valentine_irl) November 23, 2021
I'm so sick of statements without hard, quantifiable metrics; specific actionable objectives; or even clear and specific summaries of the problems they intend to solve.
It just looks like flailing in the wind, and it's absolutely disrespectful. https://t.co/fqrO3ih6rm
— Scavenger 💙 (@PaigeHix) November 24, 2021
We’ll never know why the board stands behind Kotick. Total mystery. https://t.co/mbfTqIZcFA
— Adam Holisky 💙 #ABetterABK (@AdamHolisky) November 23, 2021
“The Board supports the numerous steps taken by management since 2018 to improve workplace culture,” Activision Blizzard continues. “Including centralizing the human resources function in 2019 to ensure greater consistency and accountability, strengthening and increasing training, and, most recently, improving methods for reporting and responding to complaints of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.”
All eyes are on Activision Blizzard as several prominent voices in the games industry vocally condemned the company’s actions. Microsoft’s vice president Phil Spencer said they are evaluating their relationship with Activision Blizzard, while Playstation CEO Jim Ryan was left stunned by the reports.
Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser took things a step further, speaking with the Entertainment Software Association about how it must hold all members to a high standard, including Activision Blizzard.
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
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