Earlier today, several reports and disgruntled employees alluded to a disastrous company-wide Q&A session held byBlizzardhead Mike Ybarra. It’s claimed that the executivemade several comments that didn’t land well with employees, including controversial statements on executive bonus pay, return to office plans, and the relocation of remote workers. Several former and current employees have aired their grievances on social media since the meeting, explaing that they’re “embarrased” by leadership and were made to feel “extremely unimportant and unsupported.“Blizzard has since confirmed that a Q&A meeting did take place on Thursday, but explained that Ybarra was treating employees “with his usual trust and candor” in a statement to TheGamer received from a Blizzard spokesperson. In a separate statement toGame Developer, Blizzard has also claimed that it is “proud of Mike’s leadership in tough moments,” something that is unlikely to comfort any employees feeling disheartened by the meeting.Related:“Change Will Not Come From The Goodness Of CEO’s Hearts”, Unions Blast abusive Conditions In The Gaming IndustryBlizzard has also clarified some of the comments that Ybarra reportedly made during the meeting, including some of the more controversial. One of these comments was in regard to employees returning to offices, in which Ybarra stated that “if people are not happy here they should ask themselves if they want to be here,” which many took as a subtle way of telling disgruntled employees to quit.
Blizzard has now clarified this statement to TheGamer, explaining that Ybarra has also said that he will listen to feedback on the studio’s return to office plans, but will balance it with “what’s best for our business and for serving players long term.” It has also stated that it knows the decision to end remote work will be unpopular, but making those difficult decisions is something that “any other business leader would with a team of over 4,500 individuals.”
