Activision Blizzard has been hit with more lawsuits in the past few weeks than... well, I don't have a funny comparison. It's just been sued a lot, okay?
The Call Of Duty publisher has found itself in especially hot water for the last few months. In July it was hit by a lawsuit from the state of California in regards to claims of harassment and a toxic workplace culture that was enabled by a pervasive "frat boy culture" at the company. Not long after that, Activision employees campaigning for a better work environment, teamed up with Communications Workers of America (CWA) to file a separate lawsuit over unfair labor practices.
Oh, and soon after that, it emerged that the company was being investigated by the United States government over its workplace practices.
Now, the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a brand-new complaint against Activision Blizzard that alleges the publisher subjected employees to sexual harassment and discrimination.
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The EEOC's complaint states that it started investigating Activision Blizzard in September 2018. It also alleges that "some employees complained about the sexual harassment," and that the company "knew or should have known" about them, but "failed to take corrective and preventive measures. Once Defendants knew or should have known of the sexual harassment [they] failed to take prompt and effective remedial action reasonably calculated to end the harassment."
Activision has since confirmed to investors that it has reached an agreement with the EEOC "to settle claims and to further strengthen policies and programs to prevent harassment and discrimination in the company's workplace."
This agreement includes an $18 million "fund" designed "to compensate and make amends to eligible claimants." Any money that doesn't go to claimants will be given to "charities that advance women in the video game industry or promote awareness around harassment and gender equality issues as well as company diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as approved by the EEOC," Activision said.
Featured Image Credit: Activision BlizzardTopics: No-Article-Matching, Activision