Activision/Blizzard’s “Frat Boy” Workplace

Activision Blizzard to Face Lawsuits Regarding “Frat Boy” Workplace

During the summer, major video game publishing companies Activision/Blizzard Entertainment have become the center of attention as a major lawsuit with allegations of business malpractice and more notably, sexual harassment in the workplace. These allegations were reported during the 1 year (2015-2016) a former employee, Cher Scarlett; reported that she had been underpaid compared to her peers, harassed, and shockingly grouped on 2 separate occasions during company events.

This has caused an investigation to occur in October of 2018 on the reported long history of discrimination and harassment. This investigation brought to light more allegations of sexual harassment, employees being underpaid or denied raises they earned and more illegal practices. These practices have been dubbed “Frat boy” tendencies. Blizzard/Activision had their first suit filed against them in July of 2021 and this took the media by storm. These acts of gender discrimination, gender inequality and harassment have caused the company to come under fire by the outrage of fans, other employees and shareholders who have begun the process of starting their own lawsuits against the higher-ups for allowing this deplorable behavior to occur for this long.

Dean, Sam. Digital Image. Blizzard president out in wake of discrimination lawsuit and employee walkout. L.A Times. Activision Blizzard Inc. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) 3, August 2021

Activision/Blizzard is one of the world’s largest gaming companies and employee nearly 10,00 people. With big names such as Call of Duty, Fortnite, and World of Warcraft, this was a major upset to gamers around the world that grew up playing these games. This has caused the president of Blizzard, J. Allen Brack to step down after not responding to any inquiries in the matters behind the suits. Brack has left behind a company that is very quickly sinking with no signs of beginning to be saved. The case is still ongoing in the District of Southern California by the California Department of Fair Employment.

As recent as August 25th, 2021, there are alleged reports that the HR department of Activision/Blizzard has shredded any documents that pertained to the case, and this has caused even further complications for the AAA gaming company. This will cause major criminal charges to be added to the already ongoing cases against them if this turns out to be 100% accurate. It is not looking good for them.

Here is to major changes and reform in the workplace of not only video game companies but all employees worldwide to treat all employees with respect, not to discriminate based on gender, age or race. This is a world that we all live in and share with each other, harmony is easy to achieve, hard to maintain but worth the fight. 

To keep up with the case, you can follow it via the State of California’s public records case search.