The developer of League of Legends, Riot Games, has agreed to pay $100m (£74.3m) to settle a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit.
Riot Games will pay $100M to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit
According to the press release of California’s Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) the company will “pay over $100 million to remedy violations against approximately 1,065 women employees and 1,300 women contract workers.”
“If entered by the court, this decree will compensate employees and contractors affected by sex discrimination and harassment, ensure lasting change in this workplace, and send the message that all industries in California, including the gaming industry, must provide equal pay and workplaces free from discrimination and harassment.”
The company will pay $80 million to settle the class action lawsuit and about $20 million will be used to pay legal fees.
According to the original claims, Riot Games fostered a “bro culture” and allowed a hostile work environment to persist within the company.
The company must also spend $18 million to create 40 new full-time jobs for its former contract workers, and it must create a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
Riot Games made a statement regarding the settlement:
“While we’re proud of how far we’ve come since 2018, we must also take responsibility for the past. We hope that this settlement properly acknowledges those who had negative experiences at Riot and demonstrates our desire to lead by example in bringing more accountability and equality to the games industry.”
