A judge has approved Activision Blizzard's million settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

EEOC, Activision Blizzard settle $18M workplace discrimination lawsuit

Mar 30, 2022

A judge has approved Activision Blizzard‘s $18 million settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The case stemmed from a complaint the federal agency filed after a years-long investigation, which alleged employees at the company were subjected to severe sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination. It’s the latest high-profile settlement for the EEOC, which is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee.

“The agreement we reached with the EEOC last year reflected our unwavering commitment to ensure a safe and equitable working environment for all employees,” Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a press release. “Our goal is to make Activision Blizzard a model for the industry, and we will continue to focus on eliminating harassment and discrimination from our workplace. The court’s approval of this settlement is an important step in ensuring that our employees have mechanisms for recourse if they experienced any form of harassment or retaliation.”

Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered. The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

The EEOC was founded as part of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 to enforce Title VII of that Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

WHEN IT COMES TO WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION –

THEY’VE BEEN BEHIND SOME OF THE LARGEST LEGAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE U.S.

NOBODY WANTS TO DEAL WITH THE U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION OR EEOC FOR SHORT.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY DO? LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT

THE EEOC IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING U.S. LAWS REGARDING YOUR RIGHTS IN THE WORKPLACE.

EVERYTHING FROM EQUAL PAY – TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964RIGHT NOW IT’S ILLEGAL FOR EMPLOYERS – PUBLIC OR PRIVATE – TO DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, OR DISABILITY

THE EEOC CAN ALSO FILE CIVIL SUITS ON BEHALF OF ALLEGED VICTIMS.

AND THE PAYOUTS – CAN BE MASSIVE.

LIKE THIS RECENT SETTLEMENT TO THE TUNE OF 18 MILLION DOLLARS FOR A HARASSMENT LAWSUIT WITH ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

AND A 20 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT WITH WALMART OVER HIRING DISCRIMINATION BACK IN 2020.

SO PEOPLE ARE GETTING PAID, BUT DO YOU THINK THE EEOC COULD BE DOING MORE TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD?

LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW