Ubisoft CEO Called to French Court
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has received a summons to appear in a French court on October 1st. This court appearance is connected to an ongoing harassment case, which saw three former top executives of the company convicted earlier this summer.
The summons was initiated by the French trade union Solidaires Informatiques, along with four plaintiffs who were involved in the previous legal proceedings. This new development reignites the spotlight on workplace culture at the major video game publisher.
Background of Previous Convictions
The latest summons follows a significant legal ruling in July, where a French court found three former Ubisoft managers guilty of various offenses related to harassment and misconduct:
- Serge Hascoët, former Creative Director, received an 18-month suspended sentence and a €45,000 fine. He was found guilty of indecent behavior, racist comments, and sexual harassment.
- Tommy François, former Vice President of Editorial and Creative, was given a three-year suspended sentence and a €30,000 fine. His convictions included systematic psychological and sexual pressure, as well as attempted violence.
- Guillaume Patrux, a game designer, received a one-year suspended sentence and a €10,000 fine for threatening and bullying colleagues.
These convictions were the culmination of a lengthy investigation into widespread allegations of misconduct within Ubisoft’s upper ranks.
Ubisoft's Response and Ongoing Cooperation
Ubisoft has publicly stated that it will fully cooperate with the court's proceedings. However, the company also pointed out that the public prosecutor's office had previously concluded there were no grounds for criminal charges against the company itself or its leadership, despite the convictions of individual former employees. The current summons, according to Ubisoft, is based on the same facts as the case reviewed by the court in June after the prosecutor's investigation.
Cécile Russeil, Executive Vice President at Ubisoft, reiterated the company's commitment to employee safety. She stated, “Our main priority is to ensure the absolute protection of the physical and moral integrity of our employees through prevention policies and zero tolerance for sexual or moral harassment, sexist behavior, attacks, insults, or any form of discrimination.”
A Long-Running Conflict
The issues surrounding workplace misconduct at Ubisoft first emerged in 2020, when numerous accusations were made against various executives. This led to the departure of several high-profile individuals, including Serge Hascoët and Tommy François. The conflict has now spanned over five years, indicating a persistent challenge for the company in addressing these deep-seated cultural problems.
This new summons for CEO Yves Guillemot signals continued legal scrutiny for Ubisoft, emphasizing the ongoing efforts by unions and individuals to ensure accountability at the highest levels of the gaming industry. Players and industry observers will be watching closely as the case unfolds on October 1st.
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