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Activision Blizzard board start new committee to stop harassment and discriminationBut they still haven’t got rid of Kotick
But they still haven’t got rid of Kotick
One of employee groupABetterABK’s demandswas that the company bring in a third party “to identify how current systems have failed to prevent employee harassment”, and ActiBlizz mention that the committee “is empowered to retain outside consultants or advisers, including independent legal counsel, to assist in its work.” However, “empowered to” and “will” are very different sentiments.
The company also want to add a new “diverse director” to the board. Here’s hoping that person has a better time than Blizzard’s last diverse co-director Jen Oneal, who leftjust three months after taking the role, and was beingpaid less than her male counterpart.
Since Activision Blizzard first came under fire for an allegedly awful workplace culturethis summer, they’ve implemented a number of changes like this, frequently reminding everyone that they are doing work to make things better, really. But what of Kotick? What of the hundreds of ActiBlizz employees that havewalked outorsigned a petitiondemanding his removal? Over 26,000 people havesigned a public petitioncalling for the same. Despite all the allegations, he’s sticking around, and will be providing progress reports to this new committee.
During an earnings call in August,Kotick himself said: “People will be held accountable for their actions.” Yet,The Wall Street Journalreport Kotick will consider leaving if the company don’t fix their problems “with speed” - of which he is a part. Activision Blizzard can make all the committees they want to save face, but it will only get them so far while Kotick remains.
