US SEC launches investigation against Activision Blizzard following employee complaints



09/22/2021 9:56 AM


The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked video game developer Activision Blizzard, its CEO Bobby Kotick and other executives for information related to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination by company employees, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing sources.



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A spokesperson for Activision confirmed to the publication that the SEC had opened an investigation "concerning employment and related matters".

The SEC has requested minutes of board meetings from 2019, as well as the personnel files and termination agreements of employees who left the company this year, the WSJ reports. The watchdog also requested correspondence from Mr Kotick to other executives regarding complaints from Activision employees and freelancers.

In July, following media reports of complaints from Activision Blizzard employees about a malicious corporate culture, the state of California sued the company and accused it of violating equal pay and opportunities for men and women. 

Separate lawsuits have been filed by the company's investors. In September employees filed a complaint with the US National Labor Relations Board: according to employee association A Better ABK, the complaint concerns the company's practice of forcing conflict resolution through arbitration.

source: wsj.com


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