Activision Blizzard accused of illegal surveillance of its employees

A new worker complaint claims that Activision Blizzard has been illegally surveilling its employees during the latest walkout. The company also allegedly threatened to shut down communication channels where workers discussed labor issues.

The complaint, first spotted by Kotaku reporter Ethan Gach, was filed to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on August 12.

The Communication Workers of America (CWA) accused Activision Blizzard of “illegal surveillance of workers during the July walkout to end gender inequity.” On top of that, the complaint also alleges that the company cut off access to a chat where employees were discussing wages and working conditions.

The walkout, mentioned in the complaint, was held at Blizzard’s offices in California, Texas, and Minnesota. During this event, Activision Blizzard allegedly threatened employees and engaged in “concentrated activities” like retaliation.

An Activision Blizzard spokesperson called these claims false, saying that the “CWA continues to create an inaccurate picture of Activision Blizzard that willfully ignores the facts” (via Game Developer). They noted that the CWA’s actions are “preventing the Company from protecting our employees from disrespectful or disparaging remarks.”

Earlier this month, Activision Blizzard was accused of trying to block Blizzard Albany’s union efforts and spending “hundreds of thousands of dollars” on a union-busting law firm. The company, however, stated that every Diablo developer, not “fewer than 15% of employees,” should vote for this decision.