California Amends Activision Blizzard Trial to Include Temporary Workers, Alleges Interference in Investigation

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The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has made several changes to its lawsuit against game publisher Activision Blizzard, according to documents first shared by Axios. The changes would have modified the lawsuit to take into account temporary and contract workers in addition to employees and also allege that Activision Blizzard interfered with the investigation on several fronts.

The California DFEH, according to the amendments, requested “documents and communications relating to complaints” made by Activision Blizzard employees. But the company reportedly “refused” to hand over several important documents. Activision Blizzard reportedly stated that these documents, regarding discrimination and harassment complaints / inquiries, “did not exist or … were privileged and confidential because lawyers were involved in receiving complaints and inquiries.”

DFEH also alleges Activision Blizzard failed to keep all documents and records required by law, claiming some were “shredded by human resources staff” or digitally “deleted 30 days after an employee separated. “. According to California labor codes, companies are required to keep these records and documents for two or three years, depending on their nature.

Additionally, a copy of the lawsuit reviewed by Axios reveals that it has been updated to mention that California’s harassment and discrimination protections are extended to “casual or temporary workers,” as well as employees. Thus, the word “employees” has been replaced by “workers” throughout the trial to reflect this.

The changes come just a month after the initial complaint was filed by the California DFEH, which claimed that women in the Activision Blizzard workplace were frequently subjected to abuse, sexual harassment, wage discrimination and unequal labor standards.

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