Industry News: Current and Former Employees Sue Riot Games for Gender Discrimination

Current and Former Employees Sue Riot Games for Gender Discrimination

"Last week, one current and one former employee of Riot Games filed a class action lawsuit against the League of Legends publisher, accusing it of endemic gender-based discrimination and fostering a “men-first” environment. The lawsuit comes three months after a Kotaku investigation into the sexist culture at Riot Games.

The lawsuit alleges that, “like many of Riot Games’ female employees, Plaintiffs have been denied equal pay and found their careers stifled because they are women. Moreover, Plaintiffs have also seen their working conditions negatively impacted because of the ongoing sexual harassment, misconduct, and bias which predominate the sexually-hostile working environment of Riot Games.” 

The plaintiffs are asking for compensation on unpaid wages, damages, and other penalties, with an exact amount to be determined at trial. They also ask the court to certify the suit as class action.

In August, Kotaku detailed Riot Games’ culture of sexism in an investigative report that cited experiences from 28 current and former employees, most of whom described Riot’s working environment as sexist.

One of those sources, Jessica Negron, is one of the two plaintiffs in this lawsuit. Kotaku’s report revealed that Riot’s so-called “bro culture” inspires and, in some instances, rewards behavior that disadvantages women. The 2,500-employee games company, which is 80% male, regularly turned down female applicants for not fitting the company’s image of “core gamers,” sources said. Women interviewed also said that Riot’s obsession with “culture fits” reinforced a culture that hired and promoted aggressive male personalities and disadvantaged and harmed female recruits and employees. When sources called out their colleagues’ sexist behavior, many said, their complaints were brushed aside or used to thwart their careers." 

Author: Cecilia D'Anastasio

Read the entire article here to learn more about the lawsuit and Riot Games’ reaction.