Witnesses in the Ubisoft trial have described experiences such as "being tied to a chair, compelled to perform handstands, and enduring continual remarks about sex"

In a recent testimony before a French tribunal, Ubisoft's former executives—Serge Hascoet, Tommy Francois, and Guillaume Patrux—were implicated in fostering a pervasive environment of gender bias and misconduct within the company.

Serge Hascoët, who once held the position of chief creative officer, together with Tommy François, ex-vice president of editorial and creative services, exited the company in mid-2020 after accusations related to misconduct emerged. These allegations were part of a broader pattern of misconduct and bias within Ubisoft, with François and Hascoêt being among those specifically named. Guillaume Patrux, who held a directorial role, is also facing similar accusations. In a significant development in 2023, five former Ubisoft executives were detained by French authorities as part of a comprehensive inquiry into these allegations. Each of the accused refutes the claims against them.

According to The Guardian, the legal proceedings initiated recently have revealed accounts from witnesses who felt "terrified" and demeaned, with prosecutor Antoine Haushalter citing substantial evidence supporting the claims of inappropriate behavior.

Throughout four days in court, former female employees recounted troubling experiences, including being restrained to chairs, coerced into performing handstands, and enduring a series of inappropriate jokes and remarks. Desktops were reportedly defaced with inappropriate sketches, and inappropriate physical conduct from managers was a common theme, including unsolicited massages and inappropriate film viewings in open offices. Another accusation mentioned an executive using a whip near employees.

Describing the workplace as being akin to an exclusive male group from 2010 to 2020, one individual stated that comments of a sexual nature were nearly a daily occurrence.

An employee under François alleged being forced to perform handstands while wearing a skirt, stating: "I was intimidated by him as my manager and felt compelled to comply to escape his presence."

Additionally, François faces allegations of unwanted advances at social events, including an incident where he reportedly kissed a staff member without her consent at a holiday gathering while others held her back. Another encounter recalled his aggressive behavior during a company trip to the United States. Despite these allegations, François has maintained his innocence, attributing the described actions to a culture of "joking around" and asserting that he held no malicious intent.

Hascoët is similarly charged with an array of misconduct claims, including making inappropriate remarks about a female colleague’s personal life and instructing others to perform personal errands during work hours. Maintaining his innocence, he stated that he did not intend to harass or harm anyone.

Meanwhile, Patrux is accused of physical intimidation tactics, such as striking walls, mimicking physical violence, and engaging in reckless conduct with a lighter, all actions he denies. He is also reported to have wielded a whip near staff members’ faces.

With the trial's initial phase concluded, the judiciary panel is now evaluating the presented evidence to reach a decision. All defendants deny the allegations against them.