Activision Blizzard has yet to address many of the confusing issues with their company culture, but they’ve now established a “Workplace Accountability Committee” so they can hear more about the issue. The company’s board of directors created this committee to oversee new policies and procedures “to improve workplace culture and eliminate all forms of harassment and discrimination.” And amid calls to oust Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick, he will be one of those responsible for delivering the committee’s progress reports.
The commission was formed after a report from the Wall Street Journal came to light new statements about alleged harassment and misconduct of ActiBlizz employees, as well as disturbing allegations about Kotick himself. He allegedly threatened someone that he would kill them, intervened to prevent an alleged harasser from being fired, etc.
Activision Blizzard says The committee will be chaired by Dawn Ostroff, and Reveta Bowers will serve – both on the company’s board of directors. So this committee is the board members who have been briefed by the CEO to more board members.
One of the staff groups Requirements of ABetterABK is the company that brought in a third party “to determine how current systems have failed to prevent employee harassment,” and ActiBlizz mentions that the committee is “empowered to keep consultants or outside counsel, including independent legal counsel, to assist with their work.” However, “empowerment” and “will” are very different sentiments.
The company also wants to add a new “director of diversity” to the board. Here’s hoping that person has a better time than Jen Oneal, Blizzard’s last co-head of diversity, who left just three months after taking the role, and being pay less than her male colleague.
Since Activision Blizzard was first criticized for a supposedly bad workplace culture this summer, they’ve made some changes like this, constantly reminding everyone that they’re really working hard to make things better. But what is Kotick? What among the hundreds of ActiBlizz employees have go out or signed a petition his removal request? More than 26,000 people have signed a public petition same calling. Despite all the accusations, he persisted and will provide progress reports to this new committee.
During the August earnings call, Kotick speaks for himself: “Everyone will be held accountable for their actions.” But, The Wall Street Journal Kotick reports will consider leaving if the company doesn’t fix their problems “at speed” – of which he is a part. Activision Blizzard can get all the committees they want to save face, but it will only help them so far while Kotick is around.
