Square Enix Unveils Robust Anti-Harassment Policy to Protect Employees and Partners
Square Enix has proactively introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy designed to safeguard its employees and collaborators. This policy clearly defines unacceptable behavior, encompassing threats of violence, defamation, and other forms of harassment. The company asserts its right to deny services and pursue legal action against individuals engaging in such conduct.
The policy's implementation underscores the growing need for such measures within the gaming industry. Online harassment has become increasingly prevalent, targeting individuals across various roles, from voice actors to executives. High-profile incidents, including death threats and event cancellations due to online threats, highlight the severity of this issue.
Square Enix's policy specifically outlines prohibited actions, including:
Harassment:
- Acts of violence or violent threats
- Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, excessive pursuit, or unwarranted reprimands
- Defamation, slander, personal attacks (across all online platforms), and threats of business disruption
- Persistent or repeated unwanted contact
- Unauthorized entry onto company property
- Unlawful restraint through phone calls or online inquiries
- Discriminatory behavior based on race, religion, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics
- Privacy violations, such as unauthorized photography or video recording
- Sexual harassment and stalking
Undue Demands:
- Unreasonable product exchanges or demands for monetary compensation
- Unreasonable requests for apologies, especially those targeting specific employees
- Excessive demands for products or services beyond acceptable norms
- Unreasonable and excessive demands for employee punishment
This proactive stance reflects the unfortunate reality of online abuse faced by game developers. Recent examples, such as the harassment faced by voice actors like Sena Bryer, underscore the urgency of such policies. Past incidents involving death threats against Square Enix staff and event cancellations further emphasize the importance of this protective measure. By implementing this policy, Square Enix demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of its team and a firm stance against online harassment.
