Activision never had "systemic issue with harassment", says CEO Bobby Kotick
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has stated the company has never had a «systemic issue with harassment» in a new interview with Variety.
His comments are in response to a lawsuit against the company by the State of California in 2021, claiming it had a «frat boy» culture. In the years since, a number of sexual harassment lawsuits have been filed and Kotick himself has been accused of turning a blind eye.
«We've had every possible form of investigation done. And we did not have a systemic issue with harassment — ever. We didn't have any of what were mischaracterisations reported in the media,» Kotick told Variety. «But what we did have was a very aggressive labour movement working hard to try and destabilise the company.»
Indeed, Kotick blamed «outside forces» for the poor reputation of Activision. He added: «I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you if any of what you read in the inflammatory narrative was truthful.»
These comments are in-line with a report from Activision Blizzard itself, published last summer, which claimed there is «no widespread harassment, or systemic harassment» at the company.
Despite this, Kotick has also claimed he is not anti-union.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) last year assisted QA testers at Activision studio Raven Software with unionising. Earlier in 2023, the CWA filed charges against Activision for violating several workplace laws in relation to firing two QA testers.
«I am not like other CEOs that are anti-union,» said Kotick. «I'm the only Fortune 500 CEO who's a member of a union. If we have employees who want a union to represent them, and they believe that that union is going to be able to provide them with opportunities and enhancements to their work experience, I'm all
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