Bungie, the powerhouse behind the Halo franchise and Destiny 2, has found itself ensnared in a legal quagmire, with its former HR manager, Ingrid Alm, at the helm of the storm.
Alm, who joined the gaming giant in May last year, alleges wrongful termination following her attempt to spotlight a potential case of racial discrimination within the company’s corridors. However, as we dig deeper into the folds of this unfolding drama, it becomes increasingly evident that this legal affair is not as straightforward as it appears on the surface.
As reported by IGN, the saga begins with Alm being tasked with reviewing the performance of an employee, who has been pseudonymously named ‘James Smith’ in the lawsuit documents.
Smith, reportedly the only People of Color employee in a team of fifty individuals, confided in Alm, expressed being in situations where he’s often unfairly targeted due to his race. In response, Alm suggested diversity training for Smith’s supervisor – a recommendation that was not only swiftly dismissed but also seemed to stir the proverbial pot, leading to an atmosphere charged with tension and hostility.
The plot thickens as Smith, the employee at the center of this maelstrom, was later recommended for termination, a move that Alm staunchly opposed, citing concerns of racial bias. In a bid to navigate through this intricate web, Alm reached out to Dr. Courtney Benjamin, Bungie’s director of equity and inclusion.
Benjamin advised against Smith’s termination, deeming it a risky move given the evidence at hand. This intervention, however, didn’t sit well with the powers that be, leading to a cascade of events that saw Alm receive a written warning, being placed in the “needs improvement” category during a review, and eventually being nudged towards the exit.
The climax of this corporate saga saw Alm cut off from company access with an email landing in her inbox, accepting a resignation she never tendered. Despite refusing to sign any documents acknowledging voluntary resignation, Alm found herself ousted, with the company seemingly washing its hands off the matter.
But, dear reader, before you start foaming at the mouth, approach this entire story again with a discerning eye. Is this a straightforward case of racial bias, or is there more than meets the eye, with office politics playing a significant role in these events?
This lawsuit comes on the heels of a tumultuous year for game developers, with companies such as BioWare also facing legal challenges after terminating employees. As reported earlier, BioWare was sued by a group of seven employees seeking adequate severance, claiming they were shortchanged by the company.
The Bungie lawsuit adds another complex layer to earlier reports of the company’s toxic work culture. With the jury trial set for January 22, we can only hope that justice will be served without prejudice and bias, unlike that which we’ve witnessed in online forums and discussions.
