Activision Blizzard fostered 'frat boy' workplace culture with 700 reported sexual misconduct incidents
Jul 20, 2021On July 20, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit alleging that Activision Blizzard fostered a 'frat boy' culture in which female employees endured regular sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The lawsuit documented 700 reported incidents of misconduct during CEO Bobby Kotick's tenure. Women were universally paid less, offered less stock and incentive pay, denied promotions due to fears they might become pregnant, reprimanded for childcare needs, and kicked out of lactation rooms by male colleagues. The lawsuit resulted in three major settlements: $18M EEOC settlement (March 2022), $35M SEC settlement for lack of workplace controls (February 2023), and $54M California settlement (December 2023), totaling $107M in penalties.