Publishing staff Activision Blizzard declared a general strike. They refused to work on July 28 to express their opposition to the company’s “offensive response” to the California litigation.
After a two-year investigation, Californian officials said Activision Blizzard management allegedly promotes a culture of “student brotherhood” and female employees are discriminated against in the workplace. In response, the vice president of the company Francis Townsen accused the state of using false descriptions of the company’s past.
About 2,500 current and former employees of the publishing house have already signed an open letter to their superiors. In total, Activision Blizzard employs over 9,000 people scattered around the world.
“We will not be silent, we will not stand aside, and we will not give up,” the workers said.
According to the plan, some of the protesters intend to gather at the walls of the Blizzard office in Irving. Also, a flash mob will be organized in social networks. #ActiBlizzWalkout…
Activists are calling for better working conditions for company employees by focusing on women. Emphasis should be placed on women of color, transgender women, non-binary people and members of “other marginalized groups”.
The strikers are also demanding a review of the rules for hiring, interviewing, and promotion. They are pushing for compensation and outsourcing to audit Activision Blizzard’s inclusion and diversity activities.
Dozens of developers have already shared their negative personal experiences at Activision Blizzard on social media. They complained of discrimination, insults and sexual harassment.
In this regard, questions arise both to the management of the company, which for years ignored the unhealthy state of affairs in the offices, and to the employees themselves, who tolerated it. As the journalist wrote Bloomberg Jason Schreier, current head of Blizzard Jay Allen Brack back in 2010, allegedly ridiculed the call of subordinates to make female characters into World of warcraft “less sexy”.
Given the excitement surrounding the scandal, it is possible that some workers may have tried to “embellish” the true state of affairs in the hope of compensation. However, the truth must now be established by the court.
See also: Blizzard Confusion and Stagger: World of Warcraft Suspended
The Fall of Blizzard: Harassment, Boycott and Flight of Players
Harassment, Butt Plugs and Suicide: Activision Blizzard Sued
