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[Shin]

The ongoing class action lawsuit against Riot Games over alleged gender discrimination faces a remarkable new challenge, as two government agencies wade into the debate.

In December last year, a preliminary out of court settlement of $10 million was agreed upon between the Riot Games and the 1,000 plaintiffs. However, following an intervention by the Department of Fair employment and Housing (DFEH), this figure could climb to over $400 million.

The class action suit was originally filed in November 2018 after two women sued over violations of the California Equal Pay Act.

It came in the wake an exposé of alleged rampant sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the League of Legends developer, which was said to foster a sexist "bro culture" which was ignored by management for years.

In December last year, it looked as though the two parties were about to settle, simply waiting for approval from the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The intervention of two state agencies could disrupt this however, claiming that the women could be entitled to over $400 million in potential back pay -- based on the wage disparity between men and women at Riot Games.

Additionally, according to court documents seen by the LA TImes, the DFEH said that "no enforceable changes to employment policies, at a company alleged to be rife with sexism, are part of the settlement."

The DFEH also argues that the plaintiffs' legal representation Rosen Saba has been responsible for several procedural mistakes, and did not attempt to determine a fair monetary compensation.

Both Riot Games and Rosen Saba have refuted claims made against them by the state agency.

Source: GameIndustry

 

[ManaByte]

I watched that LoL documentary on Netflix and the two founders came off as two annoying frat boys who didn't know anything about gaming in college but decided to get into gaming just to make money.

 

[Blood Borne]

I watched that LoL documentary on Netflix and the two founders came off as two annoying frat boys who didn't know anything about gaming in college but decided to get into gaming just to make money.

you make it sound like it’s a bad thing.

 

[ManaByte]

you make it sound like it’s a bad thing.

They reminded me of the guy who came up with the Fyre Fest.

 

[stickkidsam]

Wait... wat?

What does bro culture mean? Pay disparities? For $400 million someone better have had their ass fisted against their will, Jesus.

Is this REAL??

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

$400M in back pay? Wtf kind of jobs were they working and how many people are we talking here? We talking 400 female CEOs? Holy shit, that's a lot of money.

For $400 million someone better have had their ass fisted against their will, Jesus.

Lol, pretty much my initial reaction.

 

[Psykodad]

Wait... wat?

What does bro culture mean? Pay disparities? For $400 million someone better have had their ass fisted against their will, Jesus.

Is this REAL??

If Anita is one of them, I'll gladly offer my fist. Just to make sure it actually happened to her.

 

[kiphalfton]

They opened 13 years ago, and they're expecting $400 million in back pay for 1000 plaintiffs? That's $400k in back pay per person, and assuming the employees stayed the entire 13 years, that's $30770 minimum per year. I have a hard time believing the pay disparity was that big.

 

[tkscz]

Once I saw the word "could" I knew this is most likely hyperbole and that is the absolute max they can get out of them. Realistically, probably won't be 400m (I'll be shocked if it is).

 

[EDMIX]

I hope they win.

The only thing theses companies understand is money, hit them where it hurts. Its the only way they learn lol

 

[Handel]

That only even remotely makes sense as a back figure pay if even the lowest level female employee should have got paid like a top level male one....which to feminists make total sense as it's how they come up with their bogus wage gap numbers.

 

[MDSLKTR]

I don't even think Weinstein will have to pay that much.

 

[Spokker]

Good lord, how do I get harassed???

 

[Neofire]

I highly doubt they get anything North of 6 million, just buy reading what this situation is about. I've seen cases with better legs to stand on this and settle for far less.

Then again if the women are mainly Caucasian and this is in California. They may just get it

 

[sendit]

Working in the tech industry. 400k In back pay isn’t that much per person given the time span that they worked.

 

[Chairman Tickles]

They will get nothing of the sort. This is just a dumb figure elected to incite media frenzy and interest.

 

[Gargus]

I hope they win.

The only thing theses companies understand is money, hit them where it hurts. Its the only way they learn lol

But here is the thing. You have absolutely no idea what actually happened. You werent there, you werent involved and have no first hand knowledge of anything st all.

It's also ongoing so a verdict hasn't even been reached.

And yet here you are acting as if they are guilty of the most heinous crimes.

All these fake accusations constantly being thrown around that turn out to be false or overblown, and folks like you have turned me into a victim blamer.

 

[stickkidsam]

I hope they win.

The only thing theses companies understand is money, hit them where it hurts. Its the only way they learn lol

I'm not all that familiar with this case so forgive me, but what evidence is there to indicate they are guilty of crimes worth $400 million, or any crime at all for that matter?

 

[EDMIX]

But here is the thing. You have absolutely no idea what actually happened. You werent there, you werent involved and have no first hand knowledge of anything st all.

It's also ongoing so a verdict hasn't even been reached.

And yet here you are acting as if they are guilty of the most heinous crimes.

All these fake accusations constantly being thrown around that turn out to be false or overblown, and folks like you have turned me into a victim blamer.

Could be "fake", if real....I hope they lose millions.

stickkidsam Thats nice. look up the case yourself then. I hope they pay millions to send a message.

 

[V4skunk]

Working in the tech industry. 400k In back pay isn’t that much per person given the time span that they worked.

I get what you mean. But 400 million dollars?

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

Cha ching!

This is the real reason for modern feminism, it's all a big scam and it's practitioners know this.

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

As much as I'd like to see Riot Games go under, I still feel that is an absurd amount of money.

 

[EDMIX]

Cha ching!

This is the real reason for modern feminism, it's all a big scam and it's practitioners know this.

Exactly, out here FORCING Bill Cosby against his will to drug them with some sort of jedi mind tricks, can you believe them? /s

 

[Papa]

Bro culture culls the weak and gets shit done as a result. Maybe they were just weak.

 

[molasar]

Riot Games' top management is like soaked in sweat now.

 

[Bkdk]

That’s the penalty for business that chose to stay in California, they should’ve see this coming long ago. If I’m a business owner who insist on staying in California, I’ll fire all female workers, make sure no crap like this will happen. Is it even worth anymore it even if some female workers really have the talent?

 

[TindalosPup]

That’s the penalty for business that chose to stay in California, they should’ve see this coming long ago. If I’m a business owner who insist on staying in California, I’ll fire all female workers, make sure no crap like this will happen. Is it even worth anymore it even if some female workers really have the talent?

Firing all the female workers would be too suspicious and would probably end in a lawsuit very similar to the one the thread is about

The key is to get them to leave on their own and make them uncomfortable in the most legal and unsuspecting ways possible

Ex. : Take the mirrors out of the bathrooms, get the cheap af toilet paper that tears with every wipe, make sure there's a tampon/napkin/pad dispenser that is NEVER filled (everywhere gets away with this), and encourage employees to fart freely a work (bonus points if accompanied by a Shrek "Better out then in" motivational poster). The problem ones will be gone in no time, any that stay after that are probably cool

 

[Harlock]

Good, keep hiring people who going to sue you later.

 

[sendit]

I get what you mean. But 400 million dollars?

400 million split between 1000 employees.

 

[Trevelyan]

Cha ching!

This is the real reason for modern feminism, it's all a big scam and it's practitioners know this.

I can’t tell if this post is serious. If it is, fuck you.

 

[xrnzaaas]

So it's just like a normal divorce - you're wealthy so you have to pay up more. It doesn't matter how you've earned it and if the other party had anything to do with it.

 

[thief183]

This is why I don't hire womans.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Good. Fuck Riot Games.

 

[The Cockatrice]

I can’t tell if this post is serious. If it is, fuck you.

What's your counter argument?

 

[Handy Fake]

The ins and out sof the actual case notwithstanding...

From someone looking in from across the pond, the litigation culture in the US blows my mind.

 

[Ballthyrm]

From someone looking in from across the pond, the litigation culture in the US blows my mind.

It is not US Justice™ until there is $$$$ attached to it.

 

[MiyazakiHatesKojima]

Cha ching!

This is the real reason for modern feminism, it's all a big scam and it's practitioners know this.

Thy Has Spoken The Truth

 

[Kadayi]

Wait... wat?

What does bro culture mean? Pay disparities? For $400 million someone better have had their ass fisted against their will, Jesus.

Is this REAL??

Well someone's definitely getting fisted this time

 

[MiyazakiHatesKojima]

Bro culture culls the weak and gets shit done as a result. Maybe they were just weak.

Go back to OT/PoliGAF, weirdo.

 

[Clarissa]

Imagine the amount of steak and lobsters she can feed herself

 

[Trevelyan]

What's your counter argument?

10 years spent working in the tech industry in Bay Area start-ups. I’ve seen it firsthand numerous times. What exactly is your argument? “Woman are using their assets to get more money!” ?

 

[The Cockatrice]

10 years spent working in the tech industry in Bay Area start-ups. I’ve seen it firsthand numerous times. What exactly is your argument? “Woman are using their assets to get more money!” ?

Modern feminism =/= general or normal women. Try harder.

 

[Ballthyrm]

400M$ would be sending the wrong message to IT companies.

Instead of saying be fair to your females employees, it's going to get received as don't hire them at all.

 

[Trevelyan]

Modern feminism =/= general or normal women. Try harder.

Ok, so you have no arguement. Man GAF really has attracted the shittiest of people after the fallout. What a shame, this place was cool 10 years ago.

 

[The Cockatrice]

Ok, so you have no arguement. Man GAF really has attracted the shittiest of people after the fallout. What a shame, this place was cool 10 years ago.

What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not the one complaining my dude nor did I make the original statement. I asked you to give me a counter argument to what Red Crayon said and you just basically said that you have experience with women in the industry. What does feminism got to do with normal women in the industry? Are you aware they are two different things? Or are you an expert in feminism? If the answer is yes, please enlighten us. All you have done in two posts is insult 2 different people. If anyone is shitty it's your half-assed replies.

 

[Blond]

What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not the one complaining my dude nor did I make the original statement. I asked you to give me a counter argument to what Red Crayon said and you just basically said that you have experience with women in the industry. What does feminism got to do with normal women in the industry? Are you aware they are two different things? Or are you an expert in feminism? If the answer is yes, please enlighten us. All you have done in two posts is insult 2 different people. If anyone is shitty it's your half-assed replies.

The only thing I could come across was this.

You can earn bonuses averaging around 30k per year (It can go up from the looks of it, all depends on companies profits for that year. There have been some HUGE ones dished out.) and up working at riot. If this is the median number they're talking about going back around 10 years would equate to roughly 300k individually these women have missed out if they stuck it out there.

Sure the payout averages 400K, but I'm sure after taxes + lawyer fees they'd end up with far, far less.

 

[Mod of War: Remastered]

I can’t tell if this post is serious. If it is, fuck you.

Ok, so you have no arguement. Man GAF really has attracted the shittiest of people after the fallout. What a shame, this place was cool 10 years ago.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

That’s the penalty for business that chose to stay in California, they should’ve see this coming long ago. If I’m a business owner who insist on staying in California, I’ll fire all female workers, make sure no crap like this will happen. Is it even worth anymore it even if some female workers really have the talent?

I, too, only follow the rules of acquisition

 

[HarryKS]

If they truly broke the law, make them bleed. Part of the compensation would be punitive. Which makes sense.

What does not make sense though is to rescind an out of court agreement. If it's already been agreed, they can't go back. No department whatsoever can intervene post-agreement unless they were still setting up the process.

Edit: my bad, hadn't read the entire article before posting. Only the blurb. The department's going against the plaintiffs' lawyer as well saying she didn't do her job well. They might have a case.

 

[HarryKS]

That’s the penalty for business that chose to stay in California, they should’ve see this coming long ago. If I’m a business owner who insist on staying in California, I’ll fire all female workers, make sure no crap like this will happen. Is it even worth anymore it even if some female workers really have the talent?

Not sure if you've read the case presented here, but beside the bro culture claims, there seems to be evidence that they were indeed being unfair. I'm all for due process and not particularly fond of feminist movements, but when people have been wronged, there's no debate. Individuate between cases at the risk of becoming the very thing you decry.