Seeking class-action status, new lawsuit claims the ‘League of Legends’ developer operates under a ‘men-first’ ‘bro culture’ in which harassment and inappropriate behavior go unchecked.
Riot Games, the company behind online hit League of Legends, is being sued by two female employees for “alleged violations of the California Equal Pay Act and gender-based discrimination, retaliation and harassment,” according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of plaintiffs Melanie McCracken and Jessica Negron, comes three months after a story from Kotaku, titled “Inside The Culture Of Sexism At Riot Games,” unveiled a culture of discrimination and harassment against women recounted in interviews with 28 former and current employees.
Filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the lawsuit seeks class-action status, alleging that “Riot Games has a ‘men-first’ ‘bro culture’ in which harassment and inappropriate behavior go unchecked.” Unwelcome behaviors reportedly included lewd gestures, unsolicited dick pics, email chains fantasizing about sexual activities with female employees, and “hot girl” ranking lists.
The lawsuit also contends that the company “retaliated against outspoken female employees with denied promotions, refusals to provide increased compensation or equal pay, demotions, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, losses of benefits, suspensions, terminations, and other adverse employment actions.”
In addition to monetary damages, the lawsuit seeks “recognition for a proposed class that includes all women currently or formerly employed by the company in California who have experienced discrimination, retaliation, or harassment in the last four years.”
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