Square Enix Unveils Robust Anti-Harassment Policy to Safeguard Employees and Partners
Square Enix has proactively introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy designed to protect its employees and business partners from unacceptable behavior. The policy clearly defines various forms of harassment, ranging from direct threats of violence and defamation to more subtle forms of online abuse.
The policy's implementation underscores the growing need for such measures within the gaming industry. Online harassment, including threats and intimidation, has become increasingly prevalent, targeting individuals across various roles, from actors to developers. Notable examples include the harassment faced by the actress portraying Abby in The Last of Us Part II and incidents forcing event cancellations for companies like Nintendo.
Square Enix's policy explicitly outlines unacceptable conduct, including:
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Harassment: Threats of violence, abusive language, intimidation, defamation, stalking, discriminatory remarks, privacy violations, and sexual harassment. This encompasses various communication channels, including email, online comments, and in-person interactions. The policy also addresses issues like trespassing and undue demands on employees.
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Undue Demands: Unreasonable product returns, excessive apology requests, and excessive demands for services beyond acceptable norms. This also includes unreasonable requests for punishment of employees.
The policy further clarifies that while Square Enix values feedback, harassment will not be tolerated. The company reserves the right to deny services to offenders and pursue legal action, including involving law enforcement, in cases of malicious intent. This proactive stance reflects the severity of the issue and the company's commitment to employee safety and well-being.
This policy follows previous incidents targeting Square Enix staff, including death threats in 2018 and 2019, highlighting the urgent need for such protective measures within the gaming industry. The policy serves as a strong statement against online harassment and aims to create a safer environment for everyone involved with Square Enix.
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