The situation at Activision Blizzard is somehow worse than it already was. That might have been hard to imagine just a few hours ago.
In a bombshell report from The Wall Street Journal, Activision Blizzard CEO, Bobby Kotick, is accused of some of the worst behaviors one might be able to imagine for an American corporation leader. WSJ is reporting:
- Kotick hid knowledge and information regarding a rape from his board of directors.
- He is alleged to have left a voice mail in 2006 with a female employee in which threatens to kill her.
- Kotick was reportedly sued in 2007 for having fired an aircraft attendant who worked on a plane he owned. The aircraft attendant was fired upon making a sexual harassment claim against the pilot of the aircraft. This is alleged to have resulted in a $200,000 settlement.
- The CEO is alleged to have been the actual author of a letter issued by female employee, Frances Townsend, that was seen by many as abhorrent.
- The report states that Jen O’Neal, the co-leader of Blizzard for three months, stepped down after claiming that she too had been sexually harassed and paid less than a male counterpart.
The Wall Street Journal report can be found here:
Wall Street Journal Report on Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick
Kotick has responded by releasing the following memo within the company and then to the public:
“I want to talk with you today about our future and reiterate my conviction to create the most welcoming and inclusive workplace.
Over the last few months, so many of you have generously and candidly shared your experiences and your insights about the type of company you want us to be.
We’ve taken meaningful actions to improve our company and our culture. But there is more to do. To become the model workplace we all aspire to be, more change is required. But I am so confident we will get there.
There will, of course, be continued media attention about us and our industry over the next few months. In fact, there’s an article today that paints an inaccurate and misleading view of our company, of me personally, and my leadership.
I want to say two important things about this:
First, we are incredibly fortunate to have the most talented people in our industry all so committed to constant improvement. And I share this commitment.
The second thing I want to say is that anyone who doubts my conviction to be the most welcoming, inclusive workplace doesn’t really appreciate how important this is to me.
Creativity and inspiration thrives best in a safe, welcoming, respectful environment. There is no substitute for that. And staying true to our values, without exceptions, is the best way to retain our talent and to attract the new talent we need to achieve our great potential.
As I have made clear, we are moving forward with a new zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior — and zero means zero. Any reprehensible conduct is simply unacceptable.
We have a chance to further enhance our culture and be the example other companies will follow. And we are so incredibly fortunate. Connecting and engaging the world through joy and fun is a powerful mission. Accomplishing this in a welcoming, inclusive workplace ensures we will achieve our mission with excellence.
Over the last few years our industry has had an uncomfortable spotlight that’s been illuminating opportunities for us to change. And we must all, including me, embrace this need for change, so we can bring our very best selves to the very best place to work.
Thank you for your commitment to a culture of respect, your appreciation for the unique talents we each possess, and for maintaining the very best environment for all of us to work.
For that, I am truly grateful.”
Activision Blizzard employees may be planning a second walkout after a largely unsuccessful attempt earlier in the year. The company’s stock has again dipped and is showing signs of increasing instability.
Activision Blizzard Stock Tracker
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