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 workforce and collaborators. This policy clearly defines unacceptable behavior, encompassing a wide range of actions, from direct threats of violence to online defamation. The company asserts its right to deny services and pursue legal action against individuals engaging in harassment.
The policy's implementation reflects the increasing prevalence of online harassment within the gaming industry. High-profile incidents, such as death threats against actors and the cancellation of events due to threats of violence, underscore the need for such protective measures. Square Enix's policy aims to prevent similar situations from impacting its employees and partners.
The policy, detailed on the Square Enix website, covers all levels of the company, from support staff to executives. While encouraging feedback, Square Enix firmly states that harassment is unacceptable. The policy explicitly outlines various forms of harassment, including:
Harassment Defined:
- Acts of violence or violent threats
- Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, undue pressure, stalking, or excessive reprimands
- Defamation, slander, personal attacks (across all online platforms), and threats of business disruption
- Persistent, unwanted contact or repeated visits
- Unauthorized entry onto company property
- Unlawful restraint through phone calls or online inquiries
- Discriminatory language or behavior based on race, ethnicity, religion, origin, profession, etc.
- Privacy violations through unauthorized photography or video recording
- Sexual harassment
Undue Demands Defined:
- Unreasonable product returns or demands for monetary compensation
- Excessive requests for apologies, particularly those targeting specific employees
- Requests for products or services exceeding social norms
- Unreasonable demands for employee punishment
Square Enix reserves the right to terminate services and pursue legal action, including involving law enforcement, against individuals exhibiting malicious intent. This decisive stance underscores the company's commitment to employee safety and well-being. The policy's creation is a direct response to past incidents, including death threats against staff in 2018 and 2019, leading to arrests and event cancellations. The recent negative experiences of other gaming companies further highlight the urgent need for such policies.
