: Activision Blizzard fires, reprimands several employees over harassment, discrimination allegations: report

United States

Activision Blizzard Inc. has fired several unnamed employees and reprimanded others connected to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination reported earlier this year, according to a media report late Tuesday.

Back in July, Activision Blizzard ATVI, +1.02% employees decried the company’s light response to a California lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and discrimination, and the issue has dogged the company ever since.

Late Tuesday, the Financial Times reported that the videogame publisher fired 20 employees and reprimanded 20 others connected with the allegations based on a letter circulated to employees.

Activision Blizzard’s chief compliance officer, Frances Townsend, told the FT that the firings included several game developers and a few supervisors, but no one from the company’s board.

Back in August, Activision Blizzard devoted the lion’s share of its earnings call with analysts to how the company has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment. The company also shook up management at Blizzard.

Most recently, Activision Blizzard was hit with a federal labor complaint in September that it alleged mistreated employees who had participated in protests against the company.

Activision Blizzard shares rose 0.1% after hours, following a 1% rise to close the regular session at $ 77.18.