A former Activision Blizzard employee filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on September 9, alleging that sexual harassment and retaliation during her 14 years with the company culminated in her dismissal in April 2024. The plaintiff, identified in the filing as Jane Doe, worked in the company's sound department, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The complaint names 10 men and alleges unwanted touching, sexual comments, intimidation and interference with Doe's work and advancement. She alleges that an audio director touched her leg without permission and later undermined her work and promotion prospects. She also says another employee warned that reporting his conduct could damage her career.
One of the most serious allegations concerns a co-worker whom Doe says took her to his apartment between 2011 and 2012, threatened violence and attempted to rape her. She alleges that he later demanded dates, spread sexual rumors and insulted her in front of colleagues and a manager. The complaint also alleges that she was expected to work excessive, unsafe hours and discouraged from recording overtime, according to the Times.
Doe says she reported the alleged conduct to supervisors and human resources but that the company failed to respond effectively. She attributes depression and continuing psychiatric treatment to the alleged mistreatment and is seeking damages for lost wages, benefits and earning capacity, as well as other unspecified compensation. The allegations have not been tested in court.
The complaint also alleges that some male employees and supervisors objectified women, displayed pornography and made sexual remarks. Activision Blizzard told the Times that it takes the claims seriously, seeks to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace, and has policies for addressing harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The company has denied wrongdoing.
California workplace-violence requirements
For context on protections now in place, California Labor Code section 6401.9, created through Senate Bill 553, became effective and enforceable on July 1, 2024, according to Cal/OSHA. The law applies to covered employers and requires them to establish, implement and maintain a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. Cal/OSHA says those plans must include procedures for responding to reports of workplace violence and prohibiting retaliation. The requirements provide a current framework for addressing reports involving threats or physical intimidation at work, separate from the allegations in Doe's lawsuit.
The case comes after earlier government action involving the company. California's Civil Rights Department sued Activision Blizzard in 2021 over alleged sexual harassment, unequal pay, denial of promotions and retaliation; the matter ended in a settlement under which the company agreed to pay up to $45.75 million to compensate eligible women and $9.1 million for the agency's attorneys' fees and costs. In a separate 2022 matter, a federal court approved an $18 million settlement between Activision Blizzard and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, creating a fund for workers who experienced sexual harassment, discrimination or other workplace misconduct, according to the EEOC.
