An unnamed former Activision executive has filed a lawsuit against the video game publisher, accusing the company of age discrimination and violating California’s whistleblower protection law. This 57-year-old executive, who worked at Activision from 2014, alleges that he and six other men aged 47 or older were dismissed as part of the company’s restructuring efforts in 2021. The lawsuit claims that these restructuring decisions were motivated by comments made by Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision Blizzard, suggesting that there were “too many old white guys” at the company.
The lawsuit further contends that two white executives resigned shortly after Kotick’s alleged ageist remarks. Additionally, when one of these departing executives recommended the plaintiff as his replacement, the company chose a younger non-white employee instead. This employee would go on to become the plaintiff’s manager, who allegedly criticized the plaintiff’s work in a way that affected his salary increase negatively. Furthermore, the lawsuit mentions that a female colleague in the plaintiff’s department made false and defamatory statements about him, which led to a complaint filed by the plaintiff with Human Resources (HR). The plaintiff claims that his complaint was ignored by the company.
The former executive is seeking damages to compensate for loss of earnings, hindered career advancement, damage to his reputation, emotional distress, wrongful termination, and legal costs. However, upon examining Activision’s workforce demographics, it appears that the representation of white males within the company is still significant. According to their most recent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Look-Back report, 73% of Activision’s workforce is male, and 61% of their US workforce is white. While accusations of ageism may hold more weight, they should not overshadow the need for further scrutiny of diversity and inclusion practices.
Ageism is a prevalent issue in many industries, including game development. Some argue that it is the “last publicly acceptable discrimination” in this sector. The lack of older workers in the tech industry is apparent, with only 17% of tech workers and 14% of software developers and engineers in the US being over 55, as reported by a 2023 survey from CompTIA. To address this bias towards younger hires, initiatives like the “50 over 50” campaign have been launched. These efforts aim to promote the hiring and inclusion of older professionals in the gaming industry.
While Activision has yet to comment extensively on the ageism lawsuit, they have referred to their equal employment opportunity policy. Notably, the company recently settled a lawsuit filed by the State of California regarding allegations of a “frat boy” culture characterized by sexual harassment, discrimination, and unequal pay. Both lawsuits shed light on systemic issues within the company and call for greater accountability and change.
The Activision ageism lawsuit serves as a reminder that discrimination and the violation of whistleblower protections remain present in the modern workplace. Companies must actively combat ageism, racism, sexism, and all forms of discrimination to foster inclusive work environments. It is crucial for employees and organizations to work together to create a culture where all individuals are treated fairly and have equal opportunities to thrive.
The Activision ageism lawsuit raises important questions about discrimination, whistleblowing, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the gaming industry. It highlights the ongoing battle against ageism while emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. As the case unfolds, it is essential for companies across all industries to reflect on their practices and strive for a more equitable and inclusive future.
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