Fair warning, some legalese ahead.
It seems that Riot Games is in hot water again, mere months after its commitment to a brighter, more inclusive future involving its employees. The well-known developer of the hit MOBA title League of Legends finds itself facing backlash after a report from Kotaku has stated that the company is forcing two of its female employees – who are still under Riot Games’ employment, by the way – into private arbitration following a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the two. Private arbitration, for those unaware, is a referral of a dispute – which in this case is the discrimination lawsuit – to a third person chosen by both parties to decide the case for them, which foregoes the actual court’s say to the matter. While arbitration can be very useful sometimes, in most cases it may be indication of a ‘payout’ without incurring legal action, which is a very shady move on Riot Games’ part.
The move also signifies two things: the women cannot take any more legal action against Riot Games, and it further insulates Riot Games from any wrongdoing which may have taken place on their part. An attorney for Riot Games has stated that the two women voluntarily agreed to the arbitration clauses, which are handily included in their employment contracts, meaning that the game was rigged from the start.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ryan Saba, has stated his confidence in fighting the forced arbitration, saying that he believes there is enough precedent to warrant a jury trial even when both parties have – although obviously scummy and disingenuous – agreed and signed arbitration clauses. He also released a press statement last week, stating that:
“Today’s actions only serve to silence the voices of individuals who speak out against such misconduct and demonstrate that the company’s words were no more than lip service.”
The two women involved may have their work cut out for them, as it is no joke battling the legal representation of a company worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In any case, this author hopes that the issues are resolved and that the parties who were culpable answer to the full extent of the law, however naïve that thinking may be.
