Activision Blizzard boss said to consider resigning if workplace issues are not resolved “quickly”
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has reportedly told senior management that he would consider resigning if he cannot resolve workplace issues “quickly.” According to the Wall Street Journal, Kotick made the comments during a meeting with Blizzard executives, where he “stopped” before saying he would step down, although he left the possibility open if the cultivation issues at Activision Blizzard are not resolved quickly. .
In another meeting with Activision executives, Kotick was told some employees would not be happy if he didn’t quit, the Wall Street Journal added. The CEO of Activision Blizzard has reportedly said he is ashamed of some of the incidents that have occurred during his 30-year tenure, further apologizing for the way the ongoing issues have been handled.
Kotick’s reported comments follow a separate Wall Street Journal story that alleges the CEO knew about and suppressed reports of sexual misconduct over the years. More than 1,700 staff members subsequently signed a petition calling for Kotick’s resignation in response, with prominent figures from PlayStation and Xbox also reportedly voicing concern over what was raised in the report.
As reported by Bloomberg, Xbox boss Phil Spencer told staff he is “evaluating all aspects” of the company’s relationship with Activision Blizzard and “making ongoing proactive adjustments.” A Microsoft spokesperson tells us the Bloomberg story is accurate, providing additional commentary from Spencer.
“Personally, I have strong values for a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our employees at Xbox,” says Spencer. “This is not a destination but a journey that we will always be on. The leaders of Xbox and Microsoft are supporting our teams and supporting them in creating a safer environment for all.
In another story, Bloomberg reported that PlayStation Division boss Jim Ryan told staff the company reached out to Activision Blizzard to express its “deep concern” and ask how it plans to “respond to the claims” of the original WSJ report.
Activision Blizzard is facing a lawsuit filed in July by the state of California (since extended to quality assurance and customer service contractors) alleging years of discrimination and harassment. Since then CEO Bobby Kotick has called the company’s initial response “deaf,” employees have staged a walkout, Blizzard Chairman J Allen Brack has left and the ABK Workers Alliance has demanded a change in the business. The trial is ongoing; follow the latest developments here.
In September, a US federal government agency opened an investigation into Activision Blizzard’s response to complaints of sexual misconduct and discrimination by its employees, in which Kotick was reportedly subpoenaed. The company is also the subject of a separate unfair labor practice lawsuit alleging “intimidation and union busting” filed by a workers’ union, also in September. In another separate development, Activision Blizzard reached an agreement with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission “to resolve claims and further strengthen policies and programs to prevent harassment and discrimination. “. In a subsequent letter to employees, the company announced the end of forced arbitration, a $ 250 million initiative to improve diversity, and a significant pay cut for Kotick.
A new report released in November now alleges that Bobby Kotick knew about it and removed the reports of sexual misconduct. Kotick responded with an official statement saying the Wall Street Journal article “portrays an inaccurate and misleading view of our company, of me personally, and of my leaders.” In response, the Activision Blizzard board said it “remains confident” in Kotick’s leadership.
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