Riot Games to Pay $10M to Settle Gender Discrimination Suit

The Los Angeles Times has reported that Riot Games has agreed to payout at least $10M to women who have worked at the company over the past five years. This comes as the company settles a class-action lawsuit over alleged gender discrimination, according to a court document filed Monday.

The suit was first filed in November 2018 when two women who had previously worked for Riot Games, sued over violations of the California Equal Pay Act, alleging that they were routinely subject to sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

Full details of the settlement state that approximately 1,000 women who worked at Riot Games from November 2014 until the date the settlement is finalized will be entitled to a payment from the company. Individual payments will vary based on length of time at the company with full-time staff receiving more than contractors.

In a statement, a Riot Games spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to have a proposed settlement to fully resolve the class action lawsuit. The settlement is another important step forward, and demonstrates our commitment to living up to our values and to making Riot an inclusive environment for the industry’s best talent.”

Over the last year, Riot Games has undertaken steps to mitigate its culture of sexism. Kotaku notes that these include “overhauling its recruitment, hiring and promotion processes; offering clearer job descriptions; removing problem employees; bringing in third-party culture consultants and a diversity director; appointing women into leadership positions; and offering employees channels to offer feedback on their progress.” In March 2019, Riot Games hired Angela Roseboro as Chief Diversity Officer.

Ryan Saba, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, had this to say in a statement: “This shows that Riot is serious about changing the culture at the company.”