DFEH alleges Riot stalled workplace culture investigation and discouraged employees from reporting harassment

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a request with the Los Angeles Superior Court to compel Riot Games to send a notice to its workers about their rights to speak with the agency.

DFEH has been investigating Riot Games since last year. The agency reviewed Riot’s settlement and separation agreements and found the language in them “that suggested employees could not voluntarily and candidly speak with the government about sexual harassment and other violations.”

DFEH petitioned the court to compel Riot to issue the corrective notice. “The notice will advise workers of their right to speak freely with the government about unlawful workplace practices and participate in DFEH’s pending action, without fear of retaliation, regardless of non-disparagement and nondisclosure terms in their settlement agreements,” the agency explains.

DFEH also claims that Riot has been making it difficult for the agency to obtain the settlement and separation agreements with employees, delaying the process for three months. Similarly, the company has been stalling the production of the corrective notices for two months already.

However, Riot spokesperson denied it, telling The Verge that “notices are being sent to former employees to confirm that Riot’s severance agreements have never in any way prohibited speaking to government agencies.” They also shared a screenshot of a portion of the company’s severance agreement which said, “Nothing in this agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal or state law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity.”