In its annual Universal Registration Document, Ubisoft reported concerns that a toxic workplace culture puts the developer at a "high" risk of driving away its employees.
Ubisoft's report, which helps gauge current and future risks facing the company, included sections addressing occurrences of "inappropriate behavior by employees" within the company. In its analysis of risks related to talent, the document states the company is at "high" risk for the "departure of key talents" and for the "inability to attract and retain talent."
The document elaborates on its risk analysis by presenting what constitutes workplace misconduct, including harassment and discrimination. While Ubisoft has previously acknowledged that numerous misconduct allegations have been leveled against their employees, the Universal Registration Document outlines the problem and its consequences in further detail.
"This type of harmful behavior can lead to the departure of people at all hierarchical levels of Ubisoft," the report states. "Similarly, Ubisoft's reputation and image could be harmed, which could also affect Ubisoft's attractiveness for new talents and lead to distrust of the gaming community."
The document also addressed the outcry in June 2020 for the company to stamp out toxic and sexist behavior from its workplace. During that time, several high-ranking Ubisoft executives departed the company after facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
Per the report, "Although Ubisoft has taken this situation very seriously, making every effort to remedy it and has demonstrated its resilience, the Group cannot provide an absolute guarantee that this type of risk will be controlled."
Ubisoft's risk report coincides with a recent investigation revealing its employees feel the company has not done enough to address the abuse allegations. The investigation, conducted by French publication Le Telegramme, found that 25% of employees reported either being victims of or witnesses to instances of sexual harassment. It also revealed 34% of those surveyed felt management did not take enough action to support them.
Source: Ubisoft