Activision Blizzard strike organizers demand change amid CEO response to lawsuit

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Activision employees are said to be planning a virtual and in-person exit today.

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The latest response from Activision Blizzard CEO to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at the game maker isn’t enough to satisfy employees protesting against the company’s work environment. Organizers of the planned strike on Wednesday said in a letter obtained by Axios that the company still needs to end forced arbitration, review employment policies, establish pay transparency and assign a third party to review the company’s operations.

The response comes after CEO Bobby Kotik admitted in a late Tuesday email to employees that Activision Blizzard’s early response to issues raised by employees was “tone-deaf”.

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“It is essential that we acknowledge all viewpoints and experiences and respect the feelings of those who have been mistreated in any way,” Kotik said. “I’m sorry we didn’t offer the right sympathy and understanding.

The discrepancy comes as Activision Blizzard faces a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit brought by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing earlier this month. The agency described the company as a “breeding ground for harassment and discrimination” where women are regularly sexually harassed by men, who often go unpunished.

Activision Blizzard had earlier criticized the lawsuit, saying it contained “distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions”.

Staff welcomed Kotick’s commitment to the change, but they still plan to pull out. More than 2,000 former and current Activision Blizzard employees issued a letter Tuesday calling for “official statements acknowledging the gravity of these allegations and showing sympathy for victims of harassment and assault,” Bloomberg reported. The employee’s message, published by the newsletter, focuses on workers’ mistrust of the company’s leaders. He also expresses his support for colleagues who say they are victims of harassment and assault.

Kotick said the company is increasing staff to investigate allegations of abuse, and will evaluate responses from managers and leaders across the company to determine if they are obstructing the company’s operations to review the claims. Kotik said that those found to have violated those processes would be expelled.

The company also plans to remove any in-game content deemed inappropriate, ensure that a diverse list of job openings is considered and establish hearings during which employees can discuss ways to improve the company’s culture with third-party intermediaries.

“There is no place anywhere in our firm for discrimination, harassment or unequal treatment of any kind,” Kotik said, adding that the firm has hired an outside law firm to review its policies and procedures to ensure a respectful and inclusive work environment.

The employee letter calls for quick action from the company.

“We expect a prompt response and commitment to action from leadership on the above points, and we look forward to maintaining a constructive dialogue on how Activision Blizzard is building better for all employees,” the letter reads.

Activision Blizzard’s strike organizers released a statement in response to CEO Bobby Kotik’s email to employees calling the company’s response “deaf” pic.twitter.com/64D7w8PhOL

– Megan Farrukhmanch (@Megan_Nicolett) July 28, 2021

Bloomberg reported that Activision Blizzard employees planned to strike at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday, outside Blizzard’s campus in Irvine, California. The company told the New York Times that employees participating in the strike will be allowed to take paid time off.

Kotick did not immediately respond to comment.

This story is developing.

CNET’s Stephen Musil contributed to this report.

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