A former employee of Activision Blizzard, the company behind the "Call of Duty" franchise, has filed a lawsuit accusing the California-based video game giant of fostering a "frat boy" workplace culture marked by sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, and assault. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, describes an environment where male employees allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct, viewed pornography at work, and subjected the plaintiff to pervasive harassment.
The unidentified former staffer, who worked in the company's sound department for 14 years starting in 2009, alleges that approximately 10 men were involved in misconduct. These allegations include unwanted sexual advances, gender-specific slurs, and rumors spread about her. In one instance detailed in the lawsuit, a co-worker allegedly brought her to his apartment, where he touched her leg repeatedly, blocked her exit, threatened her with violence, and attempted to rape her.
Another co-worker is accused of sexually harassing her for over five years and allegedly warning her that reporting him could jeopardize her career. The lawsuit also claims that Activision Blizzard's audio director repeatedly touched her leg without permission and sabotaged her work after she rejected his advances.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff reported these incidents to management, but no corrective action was taken. As a result of the alleged toxic workplace, she claims to have suffered from depression and required psychiatric care before her discharge in April 2024.
An Activision Blizzard spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times that the company takes such allegations seriously. "We strive to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace, and we do that through best-in-class policies and systems designed to prevent and address harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, and by holding employees accountable for their behavior," the spokesperson stated.
The plaintiff is seeking unspecified compensatory damages, including lost wages, benefits, and earning capacity. This lawsuit is not the first time Activision Blizzard has faced accusations of sexual harassment. In 2023, the company settled a sexual harassment and discrimination case with the state Civil Rights Department for approximately $50 million. That settlement resolved claims of unequal pay and denied promotions, though Activision Blizzard denied wrongdoing and the state withdrew allegations of widespread sexual harassment as part of the agreement.