Paradox Interactive is showing signs of bad performance in the corporate culture, causing employees to lose trust.
An independent audit found the company had an environment where employees faced discrimination and harassment. Faced with this situation, the Swedish game publisher quickly acted and took necessary measures.
In September 2021, 44% of the company’s employees reported having faced harassment and abuse of working time. Soon after, CEO Fredrik Wester admitted that he was not close enough with the working environment at the company.
Paradox Interactive faces accusations of bad work environment.
He apologized for what remained at the company in 2018 but did not fully address it. Also in October, some former and current employees of Paradox Interactive expressed frustration and discomfort about the working atmosphere before the harassment problem still exists.
Test results show that there has been sexual harassment at Paradox Interactive, but “the number of harassment cases is less than in a company of this size”. Due to the sensitive nature of the matter, exact descriptions of what happened are not provided.
In addition, many employees said that they often heard insulting and sarcastic statements from their superiors, leaders or even colleagues. Some women said they try not to work with certain colleagues to avoid being offended.
The report also covered a small number of instances where it was described as “serious or overt sexual harassment or harassment”, as well as “brutal and demeaning language, ridicule, malicious criticism over and over again”. repetition, unfair questioning of competence, interruption of meetings, and blame”.
The leadership is reforming the company.
Many Paradox Interactive employees say that HR and management ignore or even criticize their feedback. Dissatisfied people were scolded for choosing to talk about the “inaccurate” issue.
Paradox Interactive has prepared the measures it intends to take to remedy the situation. The company plans to completely revise its punishment policy to make it more severe in terms of harassment and discrimination. In addition, all employees, including top management, will have to take special courses where they will be taught what to do in such cases.
Paradox Interactive is not the first game company to be accused of having an unhealthy work environment. One of the most famous recent scandals is related to Activision Blizzard – the company was sued in the state of California.
