Activision Blizzard has recently decided to pay an $18 million settlement to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on the grounds of having a “frat boy” culture, gender inequality, and sexual harassment. However, a formal objection to the settlement has been issued by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing saying that it could cause “irreparable harm”.
It has not been long since Activision Blizzard came under fire for multiple allegations regarding their work culture as previously stated but it was quite sudden for them to instantly decide that they would rather settle than have the case go on any longer, most likely in order for them to save as much face as they can.
So it goes without saying that the state of California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing objecting to the sudden settlement on the claims that it would cause “irreparable harm” is perfectly reasonable.
Axios’ Stephen Totilo took to Twitter to circulate documents that noted that the terms of the settlement would require employees to release Activision Blizzard from claims under California state law which in turn would have serious repercussions on its own lawsuit.
If Activision Blizzard settles and gets away with it then it just means that they are sweeping the issues under the rug and it is very unlikely that they will be making the necessary changes that would steer the company on the right path.
Activision Blizzard has already been accused of “withholding” and “destroying” any evidence that is related to the case which makes it that much more concerning for the victims of Activision Blizzard.
Ever since the lawsuit began, many of Blizzard’s key positions have left the company such as former Blizzard president J. Allen Brack, head of global human resources, Jesse Meschuk, Chief Legal Officer, Claire Hart, and many more.
