Video games are a fun hobby for both men and women in Hawaii and elsewhere. However, many employees of the video game developer Activision Blizzard claim that the company really only caters to its male workers. A recent lawsuit alleges that Activision Blizzard not only actively discriminates against its female employees, but also overlooks overt and recurring instances of workplace sexual harassment.
Women in gaming
A fair employment and housing agency in another state filed the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard. The suit pointed out that women and girls make up approximately half of the gaming community in America, but that Activision Blizzard had maintained a frat boy style workplace that largely alienated and harmed women. The lawsuit’s allegations included claims of:
- Unfair compensation
- Increased scrutiny compared to male co-workers
- Considerable sexual harassment
The lawsuit also asserts that women are regularly subjected to unwanted sexual advances at work, often by men in high-ranking positions. The allegations also claim that Activision Blizzard rarely — if ever — punishes these men, which only furthers an environment in which sexual harassment is the norm. The company largely denied these accusations, claiming that stories cited in the lawsuit were taken out of context or had occurred a month prior. Unsatisfied with their employers’ response, employees staged a walk out on July 28, 2021.
Women deserve the same treatment as their male peers in the workplace. Unfortunately, many employers in Hawaii still actively treat women as second-class workers who do not have access to adequate wages or protections from sexual harassment. Although this can be disheartening, victims often find that successfully pursuing workplace discrimination lawsuit not only helps them recover essential compensation, but also helps influence change in the workplace.