- Activision Blizzard’s CEO, Bobby Kotick, has demanded a decrease in his salary
- His paycheck will remain at a minimum until the company has made up for its mistreatment of women
- Activision Blizzard will double down on its efforts to become a company that cares for its diverse workforce
Activision Blizzard’s CEO, Bobby Kotick, has asked to have his paycheck reduced until the company meets its diversity quotas.
Bobby Kotick Asks for a Salary Reduction
Activision Blizzard’s chief executive officer, Bobby Kotick, is trying to make things right. In the midst of accusations and a lawsuit against the company, he is trying to lead by example and has demanded a reduction of his paycheck.
According to a letter to his colleagues, that was also shared on the company’s investor relations page, Kotick has appealed to Activision Blizzard’s board of directors to cut his salary to $62,500 – the lowest sum permitted by California’s law for salaried employees.
Additionally, Kotick added that he wants to reduce not only his salary but his bonuses as well. According to him, he wants to forfeit all bonuses and equity he would have been otherwise granted.
This is a symbolic move, but an important one to show the company’s good intentions. This spring Kotick was scrutinized for the huge bonuses he gets as Activision Blizzard’s CEO. Now he wants to make a change. According to Kotick, his salary will remain at the minimum until the company has reached all of its milestones for ensuring a healthy workplace for all its employees.
Blizzard to Terminate Those Who Do Not Adhere Its Workplace Rules
Kotick’s decision to dramatically reduce his salary is in response to the lawsuit by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The regulative body put Activision Blizzard in court because of a pervasive “frat-boy culture” among the employees.
Kotick shared the most important changes Activision Blizzard will be implementing to its policy in order to not let something like that happen again.
- The company will adopt a zero-tolerance harassment policy. Blizzard used to warn some employees before but will now immediately terminate those who knowingly refuse to comply with the company’s workplace discipline
- Activision Blizzard will invest $250 million to diversify its workforce by hiring more women and non-binary people.
- The company is waiving required arbitration of sexual harassment and discrimination claims
- It will increase the visibility on pay equity and will report its results annually
- Lastly, Activision Blizzard vowed to provide its customers and industry specialists with regular updates on its initiatives’ progress
Activision Blizzard has had a plethora of hurdles in recent times, with the California lawsuit being only one of them. Fans have been disgruntled by the state of the company’s games. Hopefully, Kotick’s goodwill will lead the company on a better path and so
