Bungie’s head of HR steps down following experiences of poisonous office tradition | Engadget

Gayle d’Hondt has stepped down as head of HR at Bungie after 14 years, in accordance with IGN. The transfer comes shortly after the identical publication released a report with accounts by former and present Bungie staff portray an image of a office tradition that is each poisonous and sexist. In some cases, HR personnel have been reportedly unwilling to assist complainants and actively protected dangerous people.

In her e mail despatched to staff and seen by IGN, d’Hondt mentioned she desires to do “everything in [her] power to make sure everyone who works [at Bungie] has a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.” It’s mandatory, she added, for the corporate’s HR crew to maneuver ahead with membership “largely comprised of people new to Bungie.” d’Hondt did not say who can be changing her, however she advised staff within the e mail that the HR crew wants “to be trusted to be [their] advocates — not labeled as ‘enablers’ or seen as company resources who provide bad actors with safe harbor.” It’s additionally unclear if d’Hondt is leaving the online game developer fully or simply shifting to a unique position.

The former HR head talked about about her personal expertise with an abuser on the firm, as properly: A male government whom she thought was her buddy. While she did not title her abuser, she mentioned Bungie ultimately fired him. She concluded:

“I am proud of the work I did at this company. I believe I made recommendations that were in the best interest of our people and in service of the company we wish to become. I also believe we made some mistakes, and that to become the better version of ourselves — the company I know we can be – we have to acknowledge and confront them, in good faith, and grow together.”

While IGN’s report confirmed the corporate in a less-than-flattering mild, it additionally confirmed how the studio is struggling to shake its poisonous tradition in an effort to foster a greater one. In response to it, firm CEO Pete Parsons printed an apology letter, admitting that Bungie’s “actions or, in some cases, inactions, caused these people pain.” He additionally talked in regards to the modifications the corporate has remodeled the previous few years to make it a greater place for workers, together with eradicating unhealthy actors no matter their “tenure, seniority or interpersonal relationships.”