Ubisoft Executives Fined and Given Suspended Sentences in Harassment Case

Suspended Sentences for Former Ubisoft Executives in Harassment Trial

In a significant legal development, three ex-executives from Ubisoft received suspended prison sentences following a harassment trial that commenced in March and concluded in June. The case has highlighted serious allegations of misconduct within the corporate culture of the prominent gaming company.

According to a report by Le Monde, Thomas François, former Vice President of Editorial and Creative Services, was convicted on multiple counts, including moral and sexual harassment, as well as attempted sexual assault. He was sentenced to a three-year prison term with a suspension and ordered to pay a fine of €30, 000.

Serge Hascoët, previously the Chief Creative Officer at Ubisoft, faced serious accusations encompassing lewd and racist remarks. Notable was his alleged harassment of a Muslim employee, which included replacing her desktop background during Ramadan with images of food—a particularly sensitive issue for those observing the fast. Hascoët’s sentence included an 18-month suspended prison term and a €45, 000 fine.

Guillame Patrux, who served as a game designer at Ubisoft, was also implicated in the abusive work environment as he was found guilty of psychological harassment. Patrux received a 12-month suspended sentence alongside a fine of €10, 000.

The actions of François, Hascoët, and Patrux exemplify the toxic culture that has reportedly existed within Ubisoft. This was notably brought to light in 2021 when employees issued an open letter advocating for reforms dubbed “A Better Ubisoft.” Concurrently, employees from Activision Blizzard were vocal about their own challenges with leadership, demonstrating a collective stand against workplace misconduct in the gaming industry.

A year later, concerns escalated as Ubisoft’s Chief Executive Officer, Yves Guillemot, faced criticism for not adequately addressing the employee demands aimed at improving company culture. Despite asserting that he took these matters “seriously, ”many employees felt that meaningful action was lacking.

A prominent issue raised by Ubisoft employees was the company’s approach to disciplinary actions against executives like Hascoët. Rather than facing termination for their misconduct, these individuals were often reassigned to different roles within Ubisoft’s global structure. Notably, Hascoët was not formally fired but chose to resign following discussions regarding the allegations against him, raising questions about accountability within the organization.

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