Similarly,
Toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what:
Five years after the #Moiaussi movement shaken the video game industry. In addition, the climate seems to have improved at Ubisoft Montreal, but there is still work to do, testify to ex-employees.
Judith* and Bruno* both knew the front and after-2020 at Ubisoft Montreal … Therefore, as well as setbacks with their owners and human resources of the company.
Judith had left his duties before the scandal broke out. Meanwhile, due to disputes with his superior, who spoke in the back
Employees in front of the others, she says.
When she was on leave. Similarly, it was the moment when we had peace. For example, When she came back, it was horrible.
At the time, she went to the human resources office to denounce the situation. However, Nothing was done
she said with animosity.
Telling himself that the household
had been done after 2020. For example, Judith felt confident to join the ranks of Ubisoft Montreal a few years later, especially since she already knew her new superior.
Upon his return, some elements were added to ensure a healthier work environment. For example, Among these new features, compulsory training on harassment at work.
When I followed the training. Meanwhile, I realized that my old patron saints all the harassment boxes
she says, rejoicing that her ex-seizure is no longer in Ubisoft.
Faced with this observation, Judith challenged the human resources employee who had not supported her at the time.
I said to him. Furthermore, “Do you remember when I came to see you? Similarly, In this training video, is it 100 % what I was living and you didn’t help me.” […] It was not a pleasant conversation.
After working in another company service, Bruno was delighted to enter the big door from the team of Ubisoft Montreal programmers, a long -standing dream.
Like Judith, he noticed changes upon his arrival to prevent the toxic climate. Moreover, There was a whole anti-harassment program, training, etc. In addition, I was very impressed because there was not that before
he says.
He quickly disillusioned. For example, As a new employee, he felt abandoned by his team.
It was many of the not communicated, not clear or not defined expectations. In addition, […] toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what When I was trying to do something, they were never happy. In addition, I was not gave me a match plan and we expected that I automatically fail
he is sorry, still shaken.
I asked questions about Teams. Therefore, and we did not answer my messages or my questions. For example, I was told that I had to make reminders to have an answer. For example, I can’t find it normal.
He slipped a word to his superior: When I had meetings, I was told that it was going well. But I told them it was not my feeling.
Bruno turned to human resources in order to find solutions. I was offered to work in another team … overseen toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what by the same person. It was with her that it was not going well
he points out.
Toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what
Study the work climate
Beyond very spectacular case
that we heard in the media. There are all kinds of small behaviors day by day, such as not answering questions, which may seem harmless, but which are not at all
explains Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin, professor in video game studies at the University of Quebec Media School in Montreal (Uqam).
When we touch on mental health. it can be very serious, it’s sneaky […] And it can have long -term consequences.
The researcher knows something about it. She conducted a vast study in 2021 on diversity, equity and inclusion (OF THE) in the Quebec video game industry.
In addition to collecting the testimonies of 17 people who have experienced problems related to OF THEshe surveyed 1532 people working in production teams in this sector in Quebec, on the possibility of around 10,800 people. The sample is so vast that it can be generalized to the entire video game industry in. Quebec
she noted in an interview on Radio-Canada.
Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin. teacher in video game studies at the UQAM media school (Archives photo)
Photo: Uqam
The situation described by Bruno in the definition of psychological harassment, advances the researcher. According to his data, 21 % of people surveyed have often
or Sometimes
been ignored by working for a big studio. It was not a problem that was specific to Ubisoft. It’s part of studios’ culture
she says.
The fact that Bruno and Judith felt abandoned by human resources did not toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what surprise Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin. This service is often Between the tree and the bark
since their bosses are also people who are denounced
she notes.
According to her, it is better to delegate the complaint process to an independent entity.
Bruno could have made a complaint on the new Whispli denunciation tool, set up by Ubisoft. The company describes him as a external, independent and 100 % confidential mechanism
.
But Bruno has always doubted the anonymity of the process. Before trusting a tool, I am supposed to trust people. If human resources cannot help me, how can the tool do it?
he wonders.
If you do not know who is the recipient of the email. it is uncomfortable. If it’s this [qu’Ubisoft] has set up so that toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what it goes better, it is not terrible.
We promote the complaint management service and not a particular person
replied by email an Ubisoft spokesperson.
Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin suggests that people responsible for treating these complaints are clearly identified
to establish A bond of trust
.
Thus. we ensure that It is not the best friend of the boss, but someone who is independent and who is master of preserving the anonymity of people who denounce
she underlines.
What is difficult in denunciation is that often we will denounce. then we know that we are going to be recognized. When the system is independent. we make sure that there are no reprisals and that we are not going to lose your job
she adds.
According toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what to data from Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin. 41 % of women and 59 % of men surveyed said quite
With confidence to be able to file a complaint without undergoing damage.
Toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what
Is the wind turning?
Even if she no longer works for Ubisoft today. Judith believes that her second experience in the company has been much more positive. As soon as there were conflicts, we regulated them, and it was great
she wants to emphasize.
The researcher is delighted that the ex-employee had the courage to face human resources when she returned to the company. a sign that the climate seems to improve: She might never have dared [le faire] So before 2020.
Another sign that times change. a decision made in early July in France which sentenced three Ubisoft executives to sentences up to toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what three years in prison for moral or sexual harassment and attempted sexual assault.
It sends a clear message that there is no tolerance for this. kind of behavior in society. […] And that it is something criminal.
Bruno is more bitter than Judith. He was thanked at the end of his six -month probation. It was very difficult. It disappoints me to have lost my job in these circumstances. […] I would have liked to believe 100 % that it had changed, that it was fine. But some teams still have toxic behaviors.
These changes are not not necessarily obvious to set up
and the company try to improve
he admits. Now toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what independent developer, Bruno Ensures to offer a healthy and collaborative environment
to his colleagues. Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin data confirm this: small studios are less at risk of psychological harassment than large.
Ubisoft Montreal has some 4,000 employees. (Archives photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Denis Wong
Contacted by Radio-Canada, a Ubisoft spokesperson first declined an interview request. He subsequently asserted by email that the most recent surveys of employees toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what show that Questions related to compliance. safety at work are among [ses] Three biggest forces
. The studio is pleased to be attractive for women, who form a third of its recruits
.
The company has also implemented a new code of conduct. an external survey process for employees and ex-employees, as well as external audits that take place in order to to ensure a respectful management structure
. A director of employee relations has also been appointed.
Despite our significant progress. we remain vigilant for the future and continue to work continuously to improve our practices
said a spokesperson for Ubisoft Montreal.
* The testimonies were harvested with a covered face for fear of reprisals.
Toxic climate ubisoft quebec: what
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