Square Enix Enacts Policy to Shield Employees

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. This policy clearly defines unacceptable behavior, encompassing a wide range of actions from threats of violence to defamation. The company asserts its right to deny services and pursue legal action against individuals engaging in harassment.

The policy's implementation underscores a growing concern within the gaming industry regarding online harassment. High-profile incidents, such as death threats against actors and the cancellation of events due to threats of violence, highlight the need for such protective measures. Square Enix's proactive stance aims to prevent similar situations from impacting its employees.

The policy, detailed on the Square Enix website, explicitly covers all levels of staff, from support personnel to executives. While encouraging feedback, the company firmly states that harassment is unacceptable. The policy meticulously outlines specific behaviors considered harassment, including:

Prohibited Behaviors (Harassment):

• Acts of violence or threats of violence
• Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, undue pressure, stalking, or excessive criticism
• Defamation, slander, personal attacks (across all online and offline platforms), and threats of business disruption
• Persistent, unwanted contact or repeated visits
• Unauthorized entry onto company property
• Unlawful restraint through phone calls or online inquiries
• Discriminatory remarks or actions based on race, ethnicity, religion, origin, profession, etc.
• Privacy violations such as unauthorized photography or recording
• Sexual harassment

Unacceptable Demands:

• Unreasonable product exchanges or demands for monetary compensation
• Unreasonable apology demands (especially those targeting specific employees)
• Excessive requests for products or services beyond accepted norms
• Unreasonable and excessive demands for employee punishment

This policy reflects the unfortunate reality of online abuse faced by game developers. Recent examples include the targeted harassment of voice actors, such as Sena Bryer (Wuk Lamat in Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail), due to their gender identity. Past incidents involving Square Enix include death threats against staff members, leading to arrests, and the cancellation of events due to similar threats.

By implementing this comprehensive policy, Square Enix demonstrates a commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for its employees and partners. The clear definition of unacceptable behaviors and the outlined consequences send a strong message that harassment will not be tolerated.