The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has launched its own investigation into Activision Blizzard after allegations surfaced earlier this year that the company maintained an abusive workplace culture, including counts of sexual harassment, unfair compensation, and intimidation. A new report from The Wall Street Journal sourced documents from the SEC’s probe that are investigating how Activision Blizzard has handled employee allegations.
The SEC subpoenas named CEO Bobby Kotick and other senior executives in a request for their communications amongst management following the reports of workplace misconduct. Other documents the investigation calls for include a request for personnel files of six former employees, Activision Blizzard board meeting notes, and employee separation agreements.
This investigation follows a series of lawsuits and accusations against the Call of Duty publisher, which first began with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, alleging that Activision Blizzard has a “pervasive frat boy workplace culture". Investors followed up with a suit shortly after in August over financial damages suffered following the company’s mismanagement and California DFEH lawsuit.
The California DFEH has since accused Blizzard of obstructing its investigation, alleging the company of shredded documentation related to employee complaints. California’s filing also amended its original language, widening the scope to include contract employee testimony.
Current and former employees organized under ABetterABK have continued to voice their complaints about how Activision Blizzard has responded. In an open letter to executive management, workers highlighted a list of demands, which included a call to end forced arbitration. The group of workers have since partnered with the Communications Workers of America to file their own lawsuit, accusing Activision Blizzard of intimidation and union busting. ABetterABK alleges the company began to retaliate against following attempts to organize.