Ubisoft Vice President of Publishing Maxime Beland resigned after being accused of sexual harassment and assault.
The company also revealed that Beland’s vice president of publishing, Tommy Francois, was placed on disciplinary leave pending the outcome of an investigation, although it is worth noting that Francois has reportedly already been suspended.
Meanwhile, another unidentified individual from Ubisoft Toronto has been fired for “engaging in behaviors that do not align with what is expected of Ubisoft employees.”
Beland’s departure, described as a “resignation,” follows a string of allegations posted on social media accusing the Ubisoft executive of choking an employee in a Far Cry Party and various forms of sexual harassment. Ubisoft was reportedly aware of those allegations, but decided not to act.
Earlier this week, we spoke to several Ubisoft employees who told us how the company has enabled a culture of abuse and control that has allowed sexual harassment, abuse, racism and homophobia to take root and prosper.
Ubisoft chief executive Yves Guillemot has outlined a number of changes the company intends to make in a letter titled ‘The Change Starts Today’, including a reorganization of the editorial department, previously supervised by Beland and Francois, and the appointment of a Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
You can find the company’s latest statement, sent to Gamasutra by Ubisoft’s senior director of corporate communications, Michael Burk, posted below.
Hello, I am providing an update after the internal letter sent yesterday by Yves Guillemot, which outlined a number of initiatives aimed at improving the way Ubisoft operates.
Maxime Beland, Editorial Vice President, resigned from his position at Ubisoft, with immediate effect. Despite his resignation, we continue to investigate the allegations made against him. In addition, as of yesterday, Tommy François, Vice President of Editorial and Creative Services, has been placed on disciplinary leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Another individual in our Toronto study was fired for engaging in behaviors that do not align with what is expected of Ubisoft employees. Other investigations are ongoing and will be carried out rigorously.
Ubisoft will not tolerate misconduct in the workplace and will continue to take disciplinary action against anyone who engages in harassment, discrimination and other behavior that violates our Code of Fair Conduct.
.
