Activision Says Senior Executives Didn't Ignore Gender Harassment

By Will Feuer

Activision Blizzard Inc. said its board and external advisors haven't found evidence to suggest that senior executives "intentionally ignored or attempted to downplay the instances of gender harassment that occurred and were reported."

The company said Thursday in a securities filing that its internal investigation hasn't found evidence to suggest any senior executive tried to conceal information from the board.

"The review of contemporaneous documentation and statements by relevant individuals shows that media criticism of the board and Activision Blizzard senior executives as insensitive to workplace matters is without merit," the company said. It added that senior executives at the company responded to allegations in a timely manner "and with integrity and resolve to improve the workplace."

Still, the company said its investigation substantiated instances of gender harassment, though it said such instances didn't constitute a systemic issue.

The Journal previously reported that Bobby Kotick, the longtime chief executive of Activision, knew for years about allegations of employee misconduct in many parts of the company and didn't inform the board of directors about everything he knew. The Journal cited people familiar with the matter and internal documents, including memos, emails and regulatory requests.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 16, 2022 07:14 ET (11:14 GMT)

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