National Post (National Edition)
UBISOFT DEPARTURES ‘WELCOME’, STAFF SAY.
Sexual harassment allegations
MONTREAL • Ubisoft named Christophe Derennes as the new director of its Montreal studios Monday in response to sexual harassment allegations that have shaken the video game giant to its core.
Saturday saw the departure of three high-level employees, including Yanis Mallat, head of the company’s Canadian studios. In Paris, Ubisoft’s chief creative officer, Serge Hascoët, resigned, as did Cécile Cornet, director of human resources.
“It was a surprise,” said one of the Ubisoft employees contacted for this story, all of whom wished to remain anonymous. “A lot of individuals, myself included, didn’t think things would go this far, in terms of the company’s reaction to the issue.
“There were certain individuals who were seen as untouchable in terms of their positions of power; seeing two of them lose their jobs was a welcome change, and a sign that the company is taking things seriously.”
Known for hit video games including the Assassin’s Creed series, Ubisoft counts 18,000 employees around the world, of which 22 per cent are women. In a statement released Saturday, CEO Yves Guillemot regretted that “Ubisoft hasn’t been able to guarantee its collaborators a safe and inclusive work environment. It’s not acceptable.”
While the above-mentioned employee said they have not personally experienced “much in the way of” harassment at Ubisoft, they confirmed the existence of a toxic work atmosphere that could take years to transform.
“I think a lot of people are going to be resistant to changing the culture,” the employee said, “and I don’t know that workplace sensitivity training, or shuffling around management are going to change that culture, or if it’s just in the bone at this point. But I do believe there is progress.”
A lot will depend on who is named to replace Mallat and Hascoët, the employee opined, adding that those appointments will send a clear message as to the new direction of the company. But changes are needed across the board, the employee said.
“There is a lack of women in leadership positions, and women who do reach leadership roles are often thwarted by men in similar roles, or pushed out of the company. It’s not a deliberate act of sexism, but an act inside of a sexist system in which the boys club always closes ranks around the men.”
One male employee, who has worked in the industry for over a decade, said that Ubisoft is not the only culprit when it comes to sexist culture in the workplace.
“It’s the same everywhere,” he said. “Ubisoft is being singled out now, because it’s so much bigger than the other ones.”