Santa Monica-based Activision Confirms SEC Investigation into Allegation of Discrimination

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TALI ARBEL, Associated Press

Activision Blizzard, one of the world’s foremost video game companies, has confirmed a regulatory investigation and said it is working to address complaints of discrimination in the workplace.

The Santa Monica, Calif., Company said on Tuesday it was complying with a recent Securities and Exchange Commission subpoena sent to current and former employees and executives and the company itself on employment matters. and related issues.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the SEC was investigating how the company handled complaints of sexual misconduct and discrimination in the workplace and subpoenaed senior executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick, a Well-known tech billionaire who is the ex-boyfriend of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandbergs. An SEC spokesperson declined to comment.

Activision Blizzard also said on Tuesday it had cooperated with an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into employment practices and was working with several regulators to address and resolve complaints at the venue. of work he has received and is committed to making the company one of the best, most inclusive workplaces. He hired a new Disney Chief People Officer.

Shares of the company have fallen 20% in two months as legal issues mount over an alleged culture of discrimination against women and minorities at the makers of Candy Crush, Call of Duty, Overwatch and World of Warcraft. The stock fell 3.4% to $ 73.60 in Tuesday afternoon trading.

In late July, the California Civil Rights Agency sued the company, alleging gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Employees staged a walkout to protest what they called Activisions’ culture of sexism and discrimination.

A shareholder lawsuit in August said the company had not disclosed to investors that it was under investigation in California and had workplace culture issues that could lead to legal issues. The shareholder lawsuit noted discontent within the company, saying more than 2,000 current and former Activision employees have signed a petition criticizing the company’s response to the California lawsuit as insulting and saying they don’t. did not trust leaders to place employee safety above their own interests.

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