The Blizzard controversy continues with the departure of another executive, Jesse Meschuk, one of the company's top human resources representatives.
Over the past few weeks, the corrupt practices of Blizzard's workplace culture have been exposed, with the development growing worse and worse by the day. A lawsuit issued by the State of California started the proceedings, with the company accused of violating the State's Fair Employment and Housing Act through sexual harassment and discrimination of its female employees. Since then, company executives, those who are particularly being held accountable for the allegations, have began leaving the company, with Blizzard president J. Allen Brack stepping down among other senior members.
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Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reported yesterday that Jesse Meschuk, Blizzard's lead HR representative, has left the company, according to an Activision spokesperson. Meschuk, in addition to his role as the head of HR, was also the company's senior people officer. His departure also follows Blizzard senior game designer, Craig Morrison, who announced last week was his last with the company.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Blizzard is continuing to fumble in its recovery. Despite providing promises to change in an open address to its employees and to the public, the response was tone deaf and resulted in its employees forming the ABK Workers Alliance. The coalition follows a massive walk-out of the company's employees, with it being the culmination of these employees' desire for change. It has reportedly received the demands of the coalition but the company has yet to act regarding them.
To some, what is perhaps most discouraging about this development is Meschuk's lack of ownership and accountability his leaving suggests. Considering the litany of testimonies and information that has come out from Blizzard employees about the ongoing harassment, Meschuk's seeming failure to help these people and assist in making the workplace better for them is further emphasized by his quick departure. It is not the worst reaction a company executive could give as some Blizzard higherups have criticized the whistleblowers and controversy, but jumping ship completely is not a very good look as well.
It seems that Blizzard has not filled Meschuk's role yet, based on Schreier's article, but it will be interesting to see just how quickly the company acts. J. Allen Brack's departure was simultaneously announced with the appointment of Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra as Blizzard's coleaders, so it may not be too long before the vacancy is filled. Hopefully, with Meschuk's leaving being reported by Blizzard, then it also does the same when someone takes their place.
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Source: Bloomberg
