Activision Blizzard employees skeptical that executive who denied sexism problems can solve them

Again in July, Activision Blizzard govt Fran Townsend told employees that California's sexism and harassment lawsuit offered a “distorted and unfaithful” image of the corporate, a denial that didn't go over nicely: Her feedback had been a part of the explanation for an organized worker walkout on July 28. This week, Townsend took a extra conciliatory method in an electronic mail that one Activision Blizzard worker described to PC Gamer as “the primary electronic mail from her that hasn't been overtly offensive.” 

That doesn't imply issues have been smoothed over. “The truth that she's nonetheless answerable for overseeing enhancements on this space makes me have little or no perception in no matter she desires to inform us,” stated the identical worker. Two different Activision Blizzard staff who spoke to PC Gamer additionally known as out the discrepancy between Townsend's newest electronic mail and her earlier denials. 

The e-mail, which Activision Blizzard published online this week, outlines the corporate's plan to reply extra decisively to HR experiences, develop its investigation workforce, and improve transparency. In response to Townsend, over 20 folks have “exited” the corporate as a consequence of worker experiences in latest months, and over 20 others have obtained another disciplinary motion.

Whether or not or not decisive motion is welcome, a number of staff say they will't take the progress report significantly on condition that Activision Blizzard has up to now dodged the demands made by the employees who walked out in July, who’ve organized below the “ABetterABK” banner. (“ABK” refers to Activision Blizzard and subsidiary King.)

First amongst these calls for is an finish to necessary arbitration, an employment contract clause that claims that authorized disputes between Activision Blizzard and staff should be settled out of court docket. The group additionally desires new hiring insurance policies, pay transparency, and a third-party audit of the corporate's construction and govt workers. 

“I’m nonetheless ready,” stated an worker about Townsend's electronic mail, referencing the ABetterABK calls for.

In response to the Financial Times, Townsend has acknowledged that not all worker calls for have been met, however says that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has given her a “clean test” to place towards additional adjustments.

“Whereas it's good to see harassers depart the corporate, quite a lot of issues are nonetheless left unaddressed,” stated Blizzard senior check analyst Jessica Gonzalez in a message to PC Gamer. “This [Financial Times] interview from Frances behind a paywall simply screams shareholder appeasement and nothing extra.”

On her Twitter account, Gonzalez has been publicly essential of Activision Blizzard company management, and particularly Townsend, whose former job as homeland safety advisor to President George W Bush has made her particularly unpopular amongst progressive staff. (Townsend's past comments on the legality and effectiveness torture are regularly cited as conclusive marks in opposition to her credibility.)

Whereas there's nonetheless mistrust of the executives, the temper inside particular person Activision Blizzard groups isn't essentially dour. The identical worker who stated they’ve “little or no perception” in Townsend additionally instructed PC Gamer that they’ve “great” religion of their workforce's direct management, and that they've heard the identical from folks on different groups. 

A special Activision Blizzard worker who spoke to PC Gamer additionally said that their workforce has a constructive temper and is “invested in bettering issues.” That worker does assume that the brand new execs appear “genuinely targeted on bettering a tradition that has been poisonous for a number of a long time,” however stated that they've come off as “defensive” and “bored with how staff really feel.” Firm management has additionally failed to extend belief within the HR division, the worker stated.

The July lawsuit alleged that Activision Blizzard's HR division didn’t act on experiences and didn't at all times preserve them confidential, and that experiences may result in retaliation. In September, Activision Blizzard hired a former Disney executive to replace its head of HR, and in response to Townsend's electronic mail, the variety of HR experiences has elevated lately, with considerations that vary “from years in the past to the current.”

“We proceed to look into any points or experiences raised via the various channels which are accessible,” Townsend wrote. “However it bears repeating: Reviews will be submitted anonymously, and there may be zero tolerance for retaliation of any form.”

Townsend additionally stated that three new roles had been lately added to the corporate's ethics and compliance workforce, and 19 new ethics and compliance roles might be added sooner or later. Activision Blizzard additionally plans to triple its spending on coaching for everybody on the firm, together with executives.

Gonzalez and different Activision Blizzard staff proceed to publicly criticize the corporate on Twitter, though one supply instructed PC Gamer that the grassroots push for change appears to have slowed internally. Staff nonetheless have the “need and fervour,” they stated, however they've seen fewer conversations in regards to the firm's company leaders in work chat, and fewer blue coronary heart emojis subsequent to names, an emblem of solidarity. One other worker stated that they're frightened that Activision is ready out organizing momentum, and can attempt to declare success with emails like Townsend's with out addressing their calls for or really altering the corporate. In September, a supply instructed PC Gamer that worker attrition was hindering ABetterABK's organizing efforts.

ABetterABK stays within the public eye: On Twitter, the group continues to push Activision Blizzard to reply to its calls for, and lately published its first newsletter. Whereas Activision Blizzard worker organizers haven't introduced an intention to formally unionize, they’ve been receiving assistance from the Communications Employees of America, a big commerce union. 

Lately, Activision Blizzard requested that the California lawsuit be paused whereas it gathers proof concerning an allegation that the state company behind the lawsuit violated skilled conduct guidelines. That allegation got here from a federal company which lately proposed an $18 million settlement with Activision Blizzard over the identical discrimination claims. The SEC can be investigating the corporate.