Square Enix Safeguards Staff from Harassment

Square Enix Unveils Robust Anti-Harassment Policy to Safeguard Employees and Partners

Square Enix has proactively introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy designed to protect its workforce and collaborators from online abuse and threats. The policy explicitly defines various forms of harassment, ranging from direct threats of violence and defamation to more subtle forms of intimidation and online abuse.

The gaming industry, increasingly interconnected through digital platforms, has unfortunately witnessed a rise in harassment targeting developers, actors, and other professionals. Square Enix's new policy directly addresses this issue, highlighting the unacceptable nature of such behavior. The company asserts its commitment to fostering a respectful environment while still welcoming constructive feedback from its community.

The policy, detailed on the Square Enix website, covers a broad spectrum of unacceptable conduct, including:

• Direct Threats: Threats of violence, intimidation, and coercion.
• Online Abuse: Defamation, slander, personal attacks (across various online platforms), and doxxing.
• Intrusive Behavior: Persistent inquiries, repeated unwanted contact, trespassing, and unlawful restraint.
• Discrimination: Bigoted language and actions targeting race, religion, gender, and other protected characteristics.
• Privacy Violations: Unauthorized photography or video recording.
• Sexual Harassment: Stalking and other forms of sexual harassment.
• Undue Demands: Unreasonable requests for product changes, monetary compensation, apologies, or disproportionate service demands.

Square Enix reserves the right to take decisive action against individuals engaging in harassment, including service termination and legal recourse where appropriate. This firm stance reflects the gravity of the situation and the company's commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees and partners.

This policy is a necessary response to a growing problem. The gaming community has seen numerous instances of harassment, including targeted attacks against voice actors and developers. Square Enix's proactive approach underscores the importance of creating a safer and more inclusive environment within the industry. The company's history of facing threats, including death threats and event cancellations due to harassment, further emphasizes the urgency and importance of this new policy.