Activision Blizzard, a company steeped in controversy, is now settling one of its many lawsuits. According to the Washington Post, “U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer is ‘prepared to approve’ Activision Blizzard’s $18 million settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).” Due to Judge Fischer’s belief of “speculative” evidence, court filing stated, “The Court is generally satisfied that both the monetary relief and the non-monetary provisions are fair, reasonable, and adequate.” As for the settlement, Activision Blizzard announced in September of 2021 that they were creating an $18 million fund for the alleged harassment and discrimination victims due to the federal lawsuit with the EEOC.
Furthermore, not only is Activision Blizzard creating the harassment and discrimination fund but there are other caveats to the settlement as well. Other sections of the settlement are that Activision Blizzard must “continue enhancing policies, practices, and training to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace, and engage third-party equal employment opportunity consultant approved by the EEOC.” Additionally, Activision Blizzard hired Stacy Jackson, as an “internal EEO coordinator with relevant experience in gender discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation to assist the Company”. In their statement surrounding the settlement, Activision Blizzard asserted, “The Court’s approval is a vital step in our journey to ensuring that everyone at Activision Blizzard always feels safe, heard and empowered.”
Despite this news, Activision Blizzard is not out of the woods yet. Activision Blizzard is engaged in two major lawsuits, The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and the EEOC, both of which were tipped about Activision Blizzard’s alleged harassment issues in 2018. While Activision Blizzard has settled the federal lawsuit, the company still faces the state of California’s lawsuit over the alleged sexual harassment claims. However, since both agencies could not agree on how much claimants should be eligible for in damages, the DFEH fears the federal settlement “could bar the DFEH from pursuing further damages at the state court level.” The DFEH will still pursue against Activision Blizzard, with the trial beginning in February of 2023.