Home Gaming Riot employees go ahead with planned walkout; protesting private arbitration and sexist work environment

Riot employees go ahead with planned walkout; protesting private arbitration and sexist work environment

2 min read
10
01-logo

Following up on the news last week that employees at Riot Games were planning a company walkout if their demands weren’t met, the work force went ahead with their plan, marching out of the studio to protest the toxic work environment.

la-1557191470-omaichhkb5-snap-image

Image: Dania Maxwell

On Monday, May 8th, over 150 employees of Riot Games, developer of mega-hit League of Legends, staged a walkout as a means to speak out against the highly documented toxic workspace. Rioters marched out of the building and flooded the parking lot, holding pickets displaying their complaints. A representative for Riot Games stated to Kotaku that the company will not be taking any action against those who were protesting and respects their rights raise complaints about the current culture in their workspace.

la-1557191538-6h2kyliihg-snap-image

Image: Dania Maxwell

The Rioters who took part in the walkout were protesting the multiple allegations of sexual harassment, conducted by senior Riot staff, which were largely ignored by the company and the use of private arbitration as a means to deal with employees suing the company for said harassment. Private arbitration is a way for large companies to settle legal disputes behind closed doors rather than in a court, a process which is conducted so as to be less damaging to the company. It should be noted that private arbitration is considered a generally sinister business practice with large tech companies like Facebook and Google vowing to never use the practice again.

Riot-Walkout-1

Image: Nathan Grayson

Many Rioters in attendance of the walkout gave impassioned speeches about the changes they wanted to see in the company. Social strategist Jocelyn Monahan said, “We’re asking that forced arbitration be ended for all past, current, and future Riot employees, including contractors and in current litigation…asking to feel safe does not make you entitled”. Another employee announced that she would quit the company, saying, “I’m quitting because I don’t want to see people who were protected by people in high places in Riot”, referencing the case of Riot COO Scott Gelb being retained by the company despite numerous sexual harassment claims. These claims detailed several cases of Gelb touching employees’ genitals and passing gas in people’s faces. Despite receiving an unpaid suspension of two months, Gelb is still officially employed by Riot.

riot_games_hq

Image: Patrick Shanley

Towards the end of the walkout, Monahan announced that if Riot does not address the concerns surrounding private arbitration by May 16th, further action will be taken against the company. “…we do have plans, and we do have days that we’re planning, and we do have commitments that we have responses for”, said Indu Reddy, writer at Riot and fellow walkout organiser. “We will prepare for retaliation. I think it wouldn’t be smart to not plan for it. But we’re not assuming it either because leadership said they wouldn’t retaliate—for this one, anyway. We will continue to ask for confirmation for future demonstrations”.

Last Updated: May 7, 2019

10 Comments

  1. konfab

    May 7, 2019 at 11:25

    ” Rioters marched out of the building and flooded the parking lot, holding pickets displaying their complaints.”

    What did they expect. They called their company Riot.

    Reply

    • Guz

      May 7, 2019 at 12:04

      To be fair it was a way more peaceful than some off our protests(read riots) we have in SA

      Reply

  2. Guz

    May 7, 2019 at 12:04

    Good for them, I hate big companies that say they are sorry about this and that or what ever it may be. Then turn around and say that they will try and improve, do better ect.

    The ONLY thing they are sorry about is that they got caught because you can bet money on it that they knew exactly what they were doing and what was going on

    Reply

    • For the Emperor!

      May 7, 2019 at 12:40

      Not the same level as what other experienced, but here is a “ignore the problem” story: When I left a previous company, I mentioned that one of the managers is a bit of a douche and makes it difficult for people to work with them. Multiple people had mentioned it as part of their reasons to quit in the preceding 2 years. Imagine how insulting it was when the one director acted like it was the FIRST time hearing about this problem manager! I had more than 10 years service and was a senior employee, but this person was so far up the directors ass, it was like I could hear him speaking out of the director’s mouth! Multiple valuable employees left because of it, yet the company did nothing. Now I can only imagine how bad it is when sexual harassment is involved…

      Reply

      • Guz

        May 7, 2019 at 12:57

        Iesh ya working for a douche is super kak, especially if they are “middle” management, because they always on a power trip and gonna show you who’s boss.

        You’re right sexual harassment is alot worse if a boss/manager is trying that shit I would call them out right then and there(did it once), because one of the main reasons they do it is because they don’t fear being reported/called out and always brush it off as something else later

        Reply

  3. CrAiGiSh

    May 7, 2019 at 12:40

    “touching employees’ genitals and passing gas in people’s faces”

    Let’s be honest, if any South Africans worked at RIOT and he tried that shit – his head would be kicked in on the spot.

    Reply

    • HvR

      May 7, 2019 at 12:48

      If you going to act like a juvenile 13 year old in a professional settings I’m dropping down to your level and dealing a full nut punch 0.4 second after the wind pass.

      Reply

      • Guz

        May 7, 2019 at 12:57

        the good ol egg flap

        Reply

        • HvR

          May 7, 2019 at 13:04

          Dude sy agter kleinkinders se eiers sal pyn

          Reply

    • Guz

      May 7, 2019 at 12:49

      Drop kick him dafaq outta there!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Valorant’s next character is KAY/O, a silencing robot

Usually one suppresses the enemy with a gun rather than a blade but clearly Valorant knows…