Activision Blizzard Harassment, Discrimination $18M Class Action Settlement

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD HARASSMENT LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT UPDATE:

• The claim deadline is Aug. 13, 2022.

Activision Blizzard agreed to resolve sexual harassment and discrimination allegations with a $18 million settlement.

The settlement benefits current and former employees who worked for Activision Blizzard Inc., Blizzard Entertainment Inc., Activision Publishing Inc., King.Com Inc, or any of their subsidiaries between Sept.1 , 2016, and March 29, 2022.

Activision Blizzard is a massive video game developer which published games such as World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and more. In January 2022, Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for $68.7 million.

Although Activision Blizzard is a widely successful game developer, the company may have taken advantage of its employees with harassment, discrimination, and retaliation during its climb to the top.

In August 2021, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging the company fostered a “frat boy” culture where female employees were discriminated against and forced to “continually fend off unwanted sexual comments and advances by their male coworkers,” according to CNN. This state lawsuit kicked off a series of complaints against the company, including a lawsuit from the federal government.

The U.S. Equal Employement Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard in September 2021, alleging the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act with sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and retaliation. Women who worked at Activision Blizzard allegedly faced repeated instances of harassment, were denied promotions, and were even fired for complaining about unfair treatment.

Activision Blizzard denied any allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, but agreed to resolve the EEOC allegations with an $18 million settlement fund.

Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members can recover a cash payment, which will vary depending on individual experiences. 

The EEOC will evaluate each claim form and determine if Class Members were subject to sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, or retaliation. Based on this evaluation, the EEOC will determine each claimant’s payment amount. 

Activision Blizzard is not involved in deciding how much money each Class Member receives.

Class Members can also benefit from injunctive relief under the settlement. 

Each claimant can have potentially harmful information removed from their personnel files. This could include removing unfair negative performance reviews, reclassifying termination as voluntary resignation, and other changes to make future employment easier.

The settlement website notes that, under both federal law and the terms of the settlement decree, Class Members are protected from retaliation after participating in the payment process. Retaliation could include write-ups, scrutiny, discipline, demotions, termination, or forced resignation. 

The consent decree settlement was granted approval by the Court on March 29, 2022.

Class Members must file a valid claim form by Aug. 13, 2022, in order to benefit from the settlement.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits current and former employees who worked for Activision Blizzard Inc., Blizzard Entertainment Inc., Activision Publishing Inc., King.Com Inc, or any of their subsidiaries between Sept.1 , 2016 and March 29, 2022.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/13/2022

Case Name

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., et al., Case. No. 2:21-CV07682-DSF-JEM, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

03/29/2022

Settlement Website

EEOCActivisionBlizzardConsentDecree.com

Claims Administrator

EEOC v Activision Claims Administrator
c/o Atticus Administration
P.O. Box 64053
St. Paul, MN 55164
[email protected]
888-201-1070

Class Counsel

Anna Y Park
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Defense Counsel

Elena R Baca
Felicia A Davis
Ryan D Derry
PAUL HASTINGS LLP