Activision, EEOC win judge’s approval of sex bias settlement

(Reuters) — A Los Angeles federal judge on Tuesday signed off on Activision Blizzard Inc.’s $18 million settlement of a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit alleging widespread sex discrimination, over the objections of a California agency that says the deal could derail its own case against the videogame maker.

During a hearing, U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer said she would give final approval to the settlement after Activision and the EEOC made various tweaks she requested last week.

Judge Fischer also rejected a renewed bid by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which sued Activision for alleged violations of state anti-bias laws several months before the EEOC filed its lawsuit, to intervene in the case. DFEH said in an earlier motion to intervene that Activision workers who take a payout from the EEOC settlement would be required to waive their ability to participate in the state agency’s case.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement that the settlement reflected the company’s commitment to ensuring a safe and equitable workplace.

An EEOC spokeswoman said that in addition to the payout, the deal requires Activision to take steps to prevent and address discrimination, harassment and retaliation.