Activision Blizzard recruits a brand new chief range officer amid harassment scandal | Engadget

Activision Blizzard has recruited a brand new chief range, fairness and inclusion (DEI) officer. Kristen Hines will be a part of the corporate and its senior management crew on April twenty fifth. She will report back to Julie Hodges, the corporate’s chief folks officer. Hines most just lately led the Global DEI follow at Accenture, the place she helped different organizations bolster their DEI methods and capabilities.

One of Hines’ key tasks shall be to assist Activision Blizzard meet its dedication to extend the share of girls and non-binary folks within the workforce by 50 p.c over the subsequent 5 years. In its representation data document for 2021, the corporate stated girls made up 24 p.c of its workforce. Hines will even work with Activision Blizzard’s gaming groups “to ensure diverse and inclusive perspectives are included in game design, including storylines, character development, gameplay and community interaction.”

“In an trade with historic underrepresentation, I’m wanting ahead to main the corporate’s efforts to additional construct a office that values transparency, fairness and inclusivity,” Hines stated in an announcement. “Gaming has amazing potential to connect communities around the world and showcase heroes from all backgrounds. I am looking forward to playing a part in expanding the landscape of talent who brings these compelling experiences to a broad base of players.”

Hines shall be tasked with serving to enhance the office tradition of Activision Blizzard, which has been below intense scrutiny since final summer season. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued the corporate in July. It accused Activision Blizzard of fostering a “frat boy culture” and alleged there was discrimination in opposition to feminine workers. A wrongful demise swimsuit was filed in opposition to the writer final month, as was a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit from a person plaintiff.

Also in March, a decide authorized a proposal by Activision Blizzard, which is the topic of a pending $68.7 billion takeover from Microsoft, to arrange an $18 million fund to settle a federal lawsuit. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s swimsuit accused the corporate of enabling a sexist and discriminatory office surroundings.

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