On Tuesday, a federal judge in LA signed off Activision Blizzard Inc’s $18 million settlement of a US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit claiming widespread sex discrimination. This came over objections by a California agency that says the settlement could derail its own case against the US video game company.
The judge also dismissed a renewed bid by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to intervene in the case. The DFEH sued Activision Blizzard over claims the company violated state anti-bias laws several months prior to the filing of the EEOC’s lawsuit.
A spokesperson for the EEOC said the agency was pleased that the judge had said she would approve the $18 million settlement. In addition to the payout, the deal also requires Activision to take steps to prevent and address discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
