Riot Games, publisher of the popular League of Legends, was recently named in a lawsuit filed by both a current and former employee. The workplace discrimination suit accuses the company of treating its male employees in a preferable manner, and comes several months after a journalistic investigation into claims of sexist behavior at the company. Wisconsin fans of the gaming company might be interested to learn more about the claims behind this suit.
In August, the website Kotaku published a piece that featured nearly 30 current and past employees. These women described the working environment at Riot Games as sexist, citing the company’s hiring practices, pay and other issues. Allegedly discriminatory practices that focused on typical aggressive male personality types kept many women from even getting past the interview process. Riot Games’ employees are currently 80 percent male.
Women also cited instances of sexual harassment, including inappropriate comments and unwanted advances. When women reported these behaviors, they said that the information was supposedly used to stifle their ability to move upwards in the company. These were not isolated events either, with multiple people citing the company’s COO as a frequent instigator of such interactions.
Men were also reportedly paid more than women, even when they are performing the exact same jobs. Riot Games promoted male workers more frequently, as well. To top it off, women were apparently frequently demoted, even when they held similar qualifications as their male co-workers.
As part of their workplace discrimination suit, the women are seeking compensation for unpaid wages, related damages and more. However, more than the financial recourse, victims of discrimination who successfully pursue these types of claims can also affect real change in the workplace. By holding Wisconsin employers responsible for their actions, future employees can enjoy working environments free from discriminatory practices.