Ubisoft begins 5-year program to improve workplace diversity
This story about systemic change, boiled down, in 1:21 minutes.
What’s the fuss?
One of the largest video game developers in the world is adopting new practices focusing on diversity and inclusion — at a time when the issue is topical.
The situation
Headquartered in France but prominent around the world, Ubisoft is a juggernaut within the video game industry.
- Founded by five brothers, the company is home to many household franchises (i.e. Assassin’s Creed, Tom Clancy, etc.) that have collectively sold hundreds of millions of copies.
- Over 20,000 employees stationed around the world work on these games, some of whom have experienced abysmal conditions.
Ubisoft has just launched a 5-year program in order to improve diversity in the workplace.
- Titled “Project Rise”, the program will focus in particular on gender equality, race and ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and disability inclusion.
- Measures will be implemented in all areas of the company, such as talent acquisition and talent development.
Boiling it down
Ubisoft has been hit with a wave of allegations over the past few years regarding employee misconduct, harassment, and systemic sexism.
- Leadership has come forth with apologies and have promised company-wide change, however many have claimed that management hasn’t done much.
- Key hires, such as a Chief People Officer and a VP of Diversity, are spearheading initiatives that hopefully allows Ubisoft to be a safer place to work.
Such issues are unfortunately industry-wide, with other companies of the same caliber fostering their own programs in response to their own allegations.
- Perhaps Project Rise will be a blueprint for others to follow suit, however it’s much too early to tell.
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