Activision Blizzard is facing another complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), saying it sought to prevent employees from talking about their working conditions despite their legally protected right to do so. The Communications Workers Association of America (CWA) filed unfair labor charges against the company, claiming it told workers “that they cannot discuss issues related to sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits brought against the company in California,” according to a union press release.
According to the complaint, an employee was threatened by a manager after he posted an article on Slack about the lawsuit and discussed holding Activision Blizzard accountable with other colleagues. According to former Blizzard senior testing analyst Jessica Gonzalez cited in CWA’s press release, the company has a “pattern of retaliation against outspoken workers,” as the company faces further Legal challenges and complaints, the model will only get stronger.
The company has faced a flurry of legal challenges and complaints over the past year
In July, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued the company, alleging that female employees faced “persistent sexual harassment” from colleagues and managers and were discriminated against in promotions.Since then, the company has seen a flurry of settlements, other lawsuits, employee actions and reorganizations — and scandals since California Gov. Gavin Newsom accused of interfering with the state’s lawsuit. But these are things that employees should be able to discuss with each other because they can have very real impacts on their work and personal lives.
This isn’t the first time the CWA has claimed Activision Blizzard is showing off employee rights. In September 2021, the union announced charges against the NLRB, accusing the company of intimidating its workers and participating in union sabotage. According to the complaint, workers were not only told they could not discuss their conditions, but were also monitored and questioned about their organizing activities.
Activision Blizzard did not immediately respond edgerequest for comment.