A Better Ubisoft on company’s progress in improving workplace culture: “A lot of talk and not much walk”

Ubisoft has highlighted new steps it is taking to improve workplace culture. However, A Better Ubisoft group criticized the company for the lack of progress and for not firing people accused of misconduct.

How is Ubisoft improving its workplace culture?

The latest update on Ubisoft’s workplace culture was detailed in a blog post by chief people officer Anika Grant and VP for global diversity and inclusion Raashi Sikka, two women that came to the company from Uber.

Here are the key changes highlighted in the post:

• Ubisoft increased the number of female employees from 22% in 2020 to 25% of the total headcount. On top of that, the company has 42% and 45% of women on its executive committee and board of directors, respectively;
• The company launched a “dedicated neurodiversity program” aimed at hiring and supporting more neurodiverse candidates, as well as some other inclusivity programs;
• One of the new initiatives is a “global self-identification program”, which will help employees share additional information about their identity (gender, race, ethnicity, etc.) and will let Ubisoft better understand its staff;
• The company established a multi-year strategy called “Project Rise” aimed at increasing representation of its players and improving its talent acquisition and development;
• Ubisoft created Inclusive Games and Content team to ensure that “diversity and inclusion is at the heart of all our games”;
• In the latest fiscal year, the company reduced the gender pay gap from 1.7% to 1.3%.

What does A Better Ubisoft say?

Eight people from A Better Ubisoft (ABU) group commented on the company’s efforts in an interview with fan community AC Sisterhood (spotted by GamesIndustry.biz).

• The activists acknowledged that Ubisoft has introduced some positive changes, including a reporting system for abuse, D&I workshops, women getting promotions and pay raises, and team reshuffles.
• However, ABU says Ubisoft still lacks progress in making its workplace culture healthier ever since the infamous harassment scandal.
• On top of that, some of the positive changes were local and not affected global processes at the company.
• “The changes have been minimal from my perspective,” a person under the pseudonym Benoit said. “A lot of talk and not much walk.”
• Although Ubisoft replaced key HR leaders, some people “directly responsible for dismissing complaints and protecting abusers over many years remain in post today.”
• ABU urges the company to take all the complaints seriously and finally “get rid of all the offenders.”
• Speaking to AC Sisterhood, Anika Grant said the company is “continuing to engage in open and honest dialogue with all our employees and ensuring that their feedback can help shape our global HR strategies and initiatives.”

The harassment scandal not only affected Ubisoft staff in person, but resulted in what some sources called the “great exodus”. A report from last year alleged mass attrition at the company, with employees citing low pay and misconduct among reasons for their departure.

It is also not the first time A Better Ubisoft has criticized the company’s actions. Last November, the group called Ubisoft’s response weak, saying the leadership offers “nothing more than [their] assurance.”