Activision Blizzard is being sued by the family of an employee who took her own life. The family accuses Activision Blizzard of playing a role that ultimately led to her death.
The gaming giant has been engrossed in toxic culture allegations in recent times, particularly around how Activision Blizzard's management handled sexual harassment and discrimination issues. Most notably, this includes CEO Bobby Kotick's controversial conduct around the whole ordeal and who now stands to earn a massive $15 million payout following the Microsoft buyout. But while the company currently looks to complete the $69 billion Microsoft deal, reports of its toxic culture continue to draw more attention. This lawsuit is among the latest developments in these allegations against Activision Blizzard.
Dated Thursday, the complaint was filed by the parents of deceased Activision Blizzard employee Kerri Moynihan. A 32-year-old finance manager, Moynihan was found dead during a company retreat back in 2017. The parents accuse the Call of Duty publisher citing sexual harassment, misconduct, and gender-based discrimination as to what primarily led to their daughter's death. The wrongful death lawsuit specifically calls out Moynihan's boss, Greg Restituito, a senior finance director at Activision Blizzard until May 2017. It claims that the executive had initially lied to the case's investigators by hiding that he had a sexual relationship with Moynihan.
Back in July 2021, a California Department of Fair Employment and Housing lawsuit was filed in light of Activision Blizzard's toxic culture allegations. Though not mentioned by name, Moynihan's was first referenced here. Among the allegations include an incident where Moynihan's male coworkers had passed around an unsolicited explicit picture of her during the holiday party prior to her death. It also alleges a male supervisor had reportedly carried sex toys with him during the official trip.
Following the wrongful death lawsuit by Moynihan's family, Activision Blizzard issued a statement, "We will address the complaint through the legal process as appropriate, and out of respect for the family we have no further comment at this time." Though the lawsuit only adds to the already existing barrage of controversies surrounding Activision Blizzard. The company is also under investigation by the Securities and Exchanges Commission in the US owing to issues around sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination as well as union-busting and worker intimidation allegations.
Now, as Activision Blizzard is set to become a part of Microsoft its series of scandals and controversies appear to be growing. Microsoft has already stated that the "right people" will be in charge of Activision Blizzard in an attempt to handle the company's toxic workplace culture. Time will tell how things pan out for Microsoft's future with Activision Blizzard.
Source: Washington Post