Activision and Riot Games employees are now recieveing payments as part of previously announced settlements over workplace issues. As reported by Axios, 1548 women have received a payment of between $2500 and $5000 and hundreds of Activision employees are also receiving payouts.
The legal battle that began in 2018 between Riot Games and the women of Riot Games came to a conclusion in 2021. The US-based video game company is set to pay a total of $100 million after losing the discrimination lawsuit. The Tencent-owned studio will now have to pay more than just $10 million, in fact, the court fees alone cost $20 million. The rest of the $80 million will go to women affected and who worked for the company between November 2014 and December 2021.
In 2021, Activision Blizzard was sued by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) over a “frat boy” workplace culture that subjects its female employees to gender-based discrimination and “constant sexual harassment.” Activision Blizzard employees called for a strike, protesting that the company is not inclusive enough for all employees.
Axios reported that eligible claimants were considered anyone who worked for Activision Blizzard since September 2016 and “based on the EEOC’s assessment, could assert a claim for sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, retaliation and constructive discharge by Defendants,” according to the settlement agreement.
