Blizzard reiterates commitment to cultural change
Marie Dealessandri
Features Editor
Friday 21st January 2022
Activision Blizzard
Blizzard Entertainment
Microsoft
In the wake of the Microsoft acquisition, head of Blizzard Entertainment Mike Ybarra has reiterated the company's commitment to improving its workplace culture.
In a blog post published yesterday, he outlined actions the company is taking as he announced that the top priority was to "rebuild trust in Blizzard."
Among the actions listed, Ybarra said the company is "measuring [its] executive and management teams directly against culture improvement," adding that their "success and compensation" will be measured against their ability to create a "safe, inclusive, and creative work environment at Blizzard."
More resources are to be dedicated to culture improvement as well. That includes the creation of full-time roles to oversee the efforts, including a 'culture leader', a diversity, equity and inclusion director, and an "organisational leader" in HR whose role will be to "build trust, empower teams, and help foster a safe, positive work environment for everyone." It's unclear whether these roles have been filled already.
Ybarra also highlighted that Blizzard tripled the size of its compliance and investigation teams and "articulated clear accountability for unacceptable behaviour."
The company is also to take a data-centric approach, with "representation data" collected and shared internally so goals could be set against those metrics.
A new feedback program for employees to evaluate leadership has also been implemented, which will be used to "measure the quality and effectiveness of [Blizzard's] managers."
"I was encouraged in reading forums, social posts, and emails from people within and outside of Blizzard, standing up
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