Ubisoft vice president of editorial and creative services Tommy François has “left the company, effective immediately,” amid company-wide investigations into sexual harassment allegations.
We previously reported how after numerous sexual misconduct allegations, multiple Ubisoft executives stood down during internal investigations. Anonymous sources also spoke to other outlets, describing the working atmosphere blurred the line between work and leisure, which allegedly lead to predatory behavior.
François was one of the executives who had accusations levied against him. In our prior report, these included openly flirting with subordinates, making homophobic jokes, and giving unwanted massages across his 13 year career at Ubisoft. New staff were allegedly told this behavior was “Tommy being Tommy.”
François had allegedly been reported to human resources of Ubisoft’s Paris headquarters for the past decade by five people, some on multiple occasions. These were allegedly for sexual propositions and “genital grabbing.”
One persons claimed that despite writing an email to CEO Yves Guillemot about François, he was promoted soon after. A woman who worked at the headquarters also claimed that François (her superior) also allegedly asked her out for drinks “four or five” times; which she rejected each time.
Business Insider Samuel Horti tweeted the claim that François had left Ubisoft “with immediate effect;” already being on administrative leave pending the results of a company-wide investigation into sexual harassment.
Horti claims to have seen an editorial staff email from Guillemot. The email also stated that other investigations were pending at this time. The claims were later verified by GamesIndustry.biz, with Ubisoft stating François “left the company, effective immediately.”
Other Ubisoft executives who have are no longer present at the company include vice president of editorial Maxime Béland , chief creative officer Serge Hascöet, managing director of Canadian studios Yannis Mallat, global head of human resources Cécile Cornet (all resigned), and public relations director Stone Chin (fired).
Whether legal proceedings will occur against any of those involved is unclear. France-based union Solidaires Informatique is also reportedly preparing a collective lawsuit against Ubisoft.
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