Bobby Kotick

In December 2023, Activision Blizzard agreed to pay $54 million to settle the California Civil Rights Department lawsuit alleging employment discrimination and equal pay violations. The settlement included provisions to address pay and promotion inequality for female employees. The settlement agreement stated that no court or independent investigation had substantiated allegations of systemic harassment or that the board and CEO acted improperly, though unions and former employees disputed this characterization.

In February 2023, Activision Blizzard agreed to pay $35 million to settle an SEC investigation into the company's failure to properly disclose workplace misconduct information to investors. The SEC found that Activision required departing employees who signed separation agreements to notify the company if regulators contacted them, violating federal whistleblower protections. The SEC had subpoenaed documents from Kotick and senior executives, including board meeting minutes and Kotick's communications about harassment complaints.

A November 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that CEO Bobby Kotick had been aware of numerous sexual misconduct allegations at Activision Blizzard for years but failed to report many incidents to the board of directors. He reportedly intervened to prevent the firing of Treyarch co-head Dan Bunting after a 2019 internal investigation recommended termination for sexual harassment. Kotick also allegedly knew about a 2020 email from 30 female esports employees reporting unwanted touching and demeaning comments. Over 1,850 employees signed a petition demanding his resignation.

In September 2021, Activision Blizzard under CEO Bobby Kotick agreed to pay $18 million to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit. The EEOC alleged employees had been subjected to sexual harassment that was severe or pervasive, that the company failed to take corrective and preventative measures, and that it discriminated against employees due to pregnancy. The settlement created a fund for employees who pursued discrimination and harassment claims.

In July 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard following a two-year investigation. The complaint alleged CEO Bobby Kotick oversaw a company that fostered a sexist frat boy culture where women were subjected to groping, unwanted advances, unequal pay, and retaliation for complaints. Women were reportedly paid less, given fewer stock options, and passed over for promotions.

According to a November 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick was aware of multiple sexual misconduct allegations at the company, some of which he withheld from its board. In 2018, Kotick was informed via email that a female Sledgehammer Games employee had been raped by a male supervisor in 2016 and pressured to drink excessively at work events in 2017. The victim reached an out-of-court settlement with Activision, but Kotick did not tell the board of directors anything about the settlement or alleged rape. The board was blindsided by the California lawsuit's allegations and questioned Kotick about what he knew and why they hadn't been better informed.

After Treyarch co-head Dan Bunting was accused of sexual harassment in 2017, the matter was investigated by Activision's HR department and it was recommended that he be fired. However, CEO Bobby Kotick reportedly blocked the move, allowing Bunting to remain in his leadership position despite the HR investigation's findings and termination recommendation. This incident was revealed in the November 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation.

In 2006, Bobby Kotick allegedly left a voicemail on his assistant's phone threatening to 'have her killed.' Kotick apologized, and the dispute was settled out of court. This incident was reported in the November 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation into Kotick's knowledge of workplace misconduct at Activision Blizzard.