Activision Blizzard Says Interviewing Various Candidates For Each Opening Is “Unworkable”

Activision Blizzard is seeking to avoid a shareholder proposal asking it to interview at least one diverse candidate when hiring for a position, according to a report from Vice.

The proposal was made separately to Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts by the trade union federation AFL-CIO, which owns shares in both publishers.

The proposal was based on the NFL’s Rooney Rule, passed in 2003 to require all football league teams to interview at least one diverse candidate for each head coaching position. It was then expanded to include vacancies for general managers and similar front office positions.

In its letters to the editors, the AFL-CIO advocated for adoption of the rule, stating: “A diverse workforce at all levels of a business can improve long-term business performance. ‘business”.

Activision Blizzard touted its diversity programs to Vice, saying, “We value the diversity of the Activision Blizzard community and understand that our employees and players come from a wide range of backgrounds. In order to deliver epic and engaging entertainment for a diverse and growing audience, our staff must reflect these communities. “

However, he also responded to the AFL-CIO’s proposal by asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt it from asking shareholders the question at its annual meeting this summer.

Vice reports that an Activision Blizzard attorney told the SEC in January: “Although the company has implemented a Rooney rule policy as expected [for director and CEO nominees], implementing a policy that would extend such an approach to all hiring decisions amounts to an unachievable encroachment on the company’s ability to run its business and compete for talent in a highly competitive and changing market. quick.

Activision Blizzard’s attorney further said the proposal was micromanagement in nature and “leaves no room for the management or board of directors of the company to exercise discretion in how hiring decisions are made. structured “.

On the other hand, a representative from EA told Vice that the editor would review the AFL-CIO proposal, saying it was “committed to maintaining recruiting practices that promote inclusion and diversity” in the workplace. ‘business.

As Vice notes, the AFL-CIO has already had success with similar shareholder proposals from Rooney Rule, convincing five of America’s largest banks to adopt such policies and add public accountability to their initiatives. existing diversity.