Activision Claims Microsoft Deal Stopped It Hiring Another Female Director
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.
Recent statements from Activision Blizzard address the company's failure to add a third woman to its board of directors, claiming that the shortcoming was a result of complications from its upcoming acquisition by Microsoft. The video games giant, per a California law enacted on January 1, 2019, was required to add at least one additional woman to its ten-person board of directors.
Despite being purchased by Microsoft earlier this year, Activision Blizzard continues to be mired in controversy. The list of allegations of abuse, sexual misconduct, and discrimination against members of the company is long and spans several years, and many of the claims surround a general culture of sexism. As a result of these sexual harassment and discrimination allegations, the company had multiple lawsuits filed against it. One of these lawsuits is ongoing, while another, which was filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was settled for $18 million. Notably, a portion of this settlement will be put into a Diversity and Inclusion Fund managed by Activision Blizzard. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, along with other company executives, are alleged to have played roles in perpetuating abuse and discrimination within the company.
Related: Why Microsoft Should (& Shouldn't) Have
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