Activision Blizzard calls for court to dismiss DFEH lawsuit

gamesindustry.biz:

James Batchelor

Editor-in-Chief

Wednesday 11th May 2022

Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard has asked a State of California court to dismiss the harassment and discrimination lawsuit filed against it last summer.

VentureBeat reports the publisher filed its request with the Los Angeles Superior Court, making several accusations about the way the Department of Fair Employment and Housing conducted its investigation prior to filing its lawsuit back in July.

The company claims the DFEH failed to properly investigate claims, stopped the investigation before receiving materials it had requested from Activision Blizzard, and did not negotiate a resolution before filing the lawsuit.

In a statement, the publisher said: "We are moving to dismiss the DFEH's Complaint because the agency violated its own rules, acted in bad faith, and undermined its authority to file this lawsuit.

"Our motion comes just days after we joined the EEOC [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] in opposing the sixth attempt by the DFEH to disrupt the federal settlement reached with the EEOC that already is helping Activision build a better and more inclusive workplace and providing relief and closure to current and former employees."

The EEOC also factors into Activision's complaints against the DFEH. Last year, it was reported the Department assigned two attorneys who worked on the EEOC's case against Activision to its own investigation, which both the publisher and the EEOC later called an ethical violation.

The DFEH is also accused of going beyond its remit; originally, the EEOC was investigating harassment, abuse and retaliation, while the DFEH was to concentrate on disparities and gender discrimination concerning pay and promotions. However, the latter