Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot will appear in court in October in relation to the sexual harassment allegations that emerged back in 2020 against a number of employees.
Back in June, three former senior Ubisoft employees received suspended prison sentences and fines after being found guilty of harassment. All three employees left the company in 2020 as part of a wave of resignations and dismissals.
However, as reported by French outlet BFM TV, a subpoena has been issued against Guillemot in relation to this case, meaning he’ll have to appear before the Bobigny court (Seine-Saint-Denis) on 1st October.
The summons for Guillemot was filed by the Solidaires Informatiques union and four individuals, “the same civil parties” as in the previous trial resolved in June.
Following an investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, no criminal proceedings will be held against Ubisoft or its management, which was confirmed during the closing arguments at the hearing in June.
“Our top priority is to ensure the absolute protection of the physical and moral integrity of its employees, through a policy of prevention and zero tolerance with regard to sexual or moral harassment, sexist behavior, assault, insult, or discrimination of any kind,” said Cecile Russeil, executive vice president of Ubisoft.
A union representative from Solidaires Informatiques has confirmed the summons was sent last month, but Guillemot was absent and his family refused to take his place. HR director Marie Derain and Ubisoft as a legal entity have also been summoned.
In 2020, following reports of harassment at the studio, Guillemot was asked how much he knew of the issues taking place. “It has now become clear that certain individuals betrayed the trust I placed in them and did not live up to Ubisoft’s shared values,” he said. “I have never compromised on my core values and ethics and never will. I will continue to run and transform Ubisoft to face today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.”
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