Activision Blizzard agreed to pay a fine $35 million to settle a couple of charges related to workplace misconduct complaints. This was announced by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The SEC alleges that Activision Blizzard knowingly did not provide adequate tools for employees to collect complaints about poor working conditions. This resulted in the firm not having the necessary controls in place to collect and investigate employee complaints, leaving it unable to determine if there were more serious concerns to report to investors. The problems date back to 2016.
Between 2016 and 2021, Activision Blizzard also entered into layoff agreements that violated the Commission’s whistleblower protection rules by requiring former employees to notify the company if it received a request for information from the Commission, according to the SEC.
The publisher of Call of Duty, Diablo, Warcraft, and Overwatch has pleaded not guilty to the SEC charges, but hasn’t denied it either. Instead, he agreed to a cease and desist order and a $35 million fine.
A company representative told VGC that they have improved their workplace reporting processes and updated termination agreements.
The government agency tasked with protecting investors and maintaining fair, orderly and efficient markets launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination in September 2021.
Source :Indian TV
