Crusader Kings developer Paradox has been accused of “bullying and gender discrimination”.
Swedish publication Breakit (via GamesIndustry.biz) reported on a union-led employee survey conducted in August that found almost half of the 133 staff who participated experienced “mistreatment”.
According to Breakit, the survey results show the problems are mainly about bullying and gender discrimination”, and “worst for women”.
69 percent of the women who responded said they had experienced mistreatment. The corresponding figure for men was 33 percent.
“Mistreatment is a systemic and far too common issue at Paradox,” the unions said in conclusion.
Another complaint raised is that “high-level perpetrators are perceived as shielded by the company”. The survey also highlights a culture of silence at Paradox.
Breakit said the results of the survey, which were conducted by Swedish unions SACO and Unionen, were presented to Paradox’s HR manager and then CEO Ebba Ljungerud last Monday, before staff were told on Wednesday. That same day, 1st September, Paradox announced Ljungerud had stepped down as CEO “due to differing views on the company’s strategy going forward”, with former CEO Fredrik Wester becoming boss once again.