This new article from Liberation goes deeper into the role played by Serge Hascoet in the toxic environment at Ubisoft, and the limited effect (or the negative effect) the actions taken so far have had.
Thread with translated quotes from the article. ⬇️
Thread with translated quotes from the article. ⬇️
On the current mood at Ubisoft
"Since your revelations, the situation here has gotten worse. [...] [Leaders] are convinced this is detrimental to their freedom. They call it a "witch hunt". On top of everything, as women, we became a threat. This is far from nice to go through."
"Since your revelations, the situation here has gotten worse. [...] [Leaders] are convinced this is detrimental to their freedom. They call it a "witch hunt". On top of everything, as women, we became a threat. This is far from nice to go through."
On the anonymous reporting tool
"This tool, Whispli, exists at Ubisoft since 2018 to report acts of corruption." [note: likely insider tarding]
"At the time we recommend to add harassment and discrimination to the theme for the report, but the HR World explicitly refused."
"This tool, Whispli, exists at Ubisoft since 2018 to report acts of corruption." [note: likely insider tarding]
"At the time we recommend to add harassment and discrimination to the theme for the report, but the HR World explicitly refused."
More than 100 reports were filed.
They mention "environmental harassment". This covers reports from women alone in a team of men that are displaying pornographic picture, or watching porn movies.
They mention "environmental harassment". This covers reports from women alone in a team of men that are displaying pornographic picture, or watching porn movies.
Half the cases had already been reported previously to the HR department.
"This shows the HR team is the silencing arm of Ubisoft." [Quote from a member of the HR team]
"This shows the HR team is the silencing arm of Ubisoft." [Quote from a member of the HR team]
About Serge Hascoet (from a member of the HR team)
"He is even valued for his toxicity, his misogyny, his homophobia, and his management style about crushing others. For his libidinous behaviour."
"He is even valued for his toxicity, his misogyny, his homophobia, and his management style about crushing others. For his libidinous behaviour."
"And today, some are trying to minimize this saying he is creative person."
"We knew about Serge. [...] He was present when [Tommy Francois tried to forcefully kiss a colleague], and that made him laugh."
"We knew about Serge. [...] He was present when [Tommy Francois tried to forcefully kiss a colleague], and that made him laugh."
"Serge reportedly drugged employees without their knowledge, including members of the top management, by sharing space cakes."
🤢
Report on one of his outbursts about a VP that demanded a lunch meeting with him:
"Serge [...] said this "bad fuck" was hindering his creativity and that someone should open her mind by "[fucking her] from behind" and "share her around until she gets it""
Report on one of his outbursts about a VP that demanded a lunch meeting with him:
"Serge [...] said this "bad fuck" was hindering his creativity and that someone should open her mind by "[fucking her] from behind" and "share her around until she gets it""
"During a work diner, he forces his creative directors to drink until they're sick, then asks the waitress to bring all the bottles of the restaurant (on the company's dime of course)and shouts "You are a faggot if you don't drink"
(Sorry I should've put lots of TW @ the start)
(Sorry I should've put lots of TW @ the start)
"He reportedly blocked a woman in the elevator and put himself against her, making groaning sounds and looking her in the eyes. Some of his collaborators in the Editorial team reportedly did the same, to the point it became [a signature move]."
2015, Ubisoft adopt a code of conduct. The article quotes someone who saw its creation process and the missed opportunity for "positive washing".
As the team tries to be ambitious in covering unacceptable behaviours, the HR management tuned down the language.
As the team tries to be ambitious in covering unacceptable behaviours, the HR management tuned down the language.
"For instance it was excluded, for the sexual harassment [example], to mention the case where the manager would be the harasser, it was deemed too pessimistic and employees might think it could happen."
Describing the toxic culture, a fresh from school new employee:
"It was so bad, I focused on my own survival. I feel bad to have belonged to this toxic team, where in meetings we would give nicknames to colleagues, calling an eccentric game designer "the moron"."
"It was so bad, I focused on my own survival. I feel bad to have belonged to this toxic team, where in meetings we would give nicknames to colleagues, calling an eccentric game designer "the moron"."
"Basically, as soon as something was deviating [from the established tone], the stance was to pretend the person was anormal."
One of the person that came forward was described in the team at the time as "a [slut], a crazy woman that we should ignore".
One of the person that came forward was described in the team at the time as "a [slut], a crazy woman that we should ignore".
"The people in charge of handling employees and their career paths in the company are not trained to handle harassment. They don't know how to listen to victims. Worst than that, they were never told to consider people's well-being before the business. Never. Never, never."
The head of HR is reported saying:
"Yves [Guillemot] is ok with a toxic management as long as these managers' results exceeds their toxicity level."
"[Ubisoft] gives a 2nd chance, or a 3rd chance, or more if necessary to its key employees, the ones that proved themselves."
"Yves [Guillemot] is ok with a toxic management as long as these managers' results exceeds their toxicity level."
"[Ubisoft] gives a 2nd chance, or a 3rd chance, or more if necessary to its key employees, the ones that proved themselves."
Article concludes that if Ubisoft has officially taken action on only 3 persons, there are 20 odd people being investigated by external auditors.
"These should lead to terminations [...] as you don't start them unless you have a solid case."
Now I'm going to get some fresh air.⏹️
"These should lead to terminations [...] as you don't start them unless you have a solid case."
Now I'm going to get some fresh air.⏹️
Serge Hascoet is resigning as well as the head of HR for the whole Ubisoft group Cecile Cornet (mentioned in the article), and the head of the Canadian Studios Yannis Mallat.
