Well-documented Ubisoft issues may slowly be starting to improve. The company recently detailed changes it's making to its corporate culture in order to combat its allegedly toxic environment. These changes include a dedicated program for neurodiversity, a new diversity and inclusion training regime, and a "more robust survey platform", but workers say more needs to be done.
How are Ubisoft issues being improved?
In a blog post released last week, Ubisoft highlighted various initiatives it's taking in order to combat allegations of harassment and toxicity within its workplace culture. The post takes the form of an interview with "Chief People Officer" Anika Grant and global diversity VP Raashi Sikka, with each of them discussing steps Ubisoft has taken to improve its environment.
According to Sikka, women now represent 25% of Ubisoft workers, which is an increase from 2020's figure of 22% (although not much of one, arguably). Sikka also says Ubisoft has created a "dedicated neurodiversity program" to recruit more neurodiverse folks, as well as a "flagship diversity and inclusion training program" called Advancing Inclusion.
Grant, meanwhile, says Ubisoft has "strengthened [its] Employee Relations team" and implemented "better processes" in order to "deal with issues faster". She also points to new mandatory training "on harassment and discrimination" across all of Ubisoft's studios around the world.
When it comes to the future, Sikka says Ubisoft is introducing something it calls its "first-ever global self-identification program", which invites Ubisoft staffers to share info like their gender identity or disability. She says there are various initiatives in place to improve "racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity", both in Ubisoft's offices and on its games. It's worth reading the full blog post to hear everything Sikka and Grant say Ubisoft is doing to reduce harassment and discrimination in Ubisoft's working environment.
How have employees responded to this Ubisoft blog post?
As you might imagine, Ubisoft employees aren't entirely happy with the company's progress. In an interview with Assassin's Creed fansite AC Sisterhood, workers' collective A Better Ubisoft details how things feel on the ground, echoing a familiar refrain. Benoit (not his real name) says Ubisoft's changes have had "minimal" impact, while Guillaume (again, not his real name) says that although some abusers have been fired, others "were retained" or "were even promoted".
One Ubisoft employee points to positive changes in their own working environment, such as more women getting promoted, more team reshuffles to promote diversity, and ongoing diversity and inclusion workshops. However, this isn't something A Better Ubisoft is seeing across all of Ubisoft's departments, only certain areas. Benoit also says that Ubisoft moving offenders around rather than disciplining them properly is "still happening" and that "nothing has been done" on a local level to prevent the protection of offenders Ubisoft views as valuable personnel.
Again, it's worth reading the full interview with A Better Ubisoft over on AC Sisterhood, as it details many of the other problems employees still feel they are facing on a regular basis. The bottom line appears to be that while things are changing for the better at Ubisoft, it's not happening fast enough, and many of the issues raised by employees as core parts of the problem still remain. We'll bring you more on this as soon as we get it.
