Square Enix Unveils Robust Anti-Harassment Policy to Protect Employees and Partners
Square Enix has proactively introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy designed to safeguard its employees and collaborators. This policy clearly defines various forms of harassment, encompassing threats of violence, defamation, and other disruptive behaviors. The company asserts its right to suspend services and pursue legal action against individuals engaging in harassment.
The policy's implementation underscores the growing need for such measures within the gaming industry. Online platforms have unfortunately facilitated an increase in harassment targeting industry professionals. Square Enix's proactive stance follows similar incidents impacting other companies, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue.
The detailed policy, published on the Square Enix website, explicitly outlines unacceptable behaviors directed at staff, ranging from support personnel to executives. While encouraging fan feedback, the policy firmly establishes boundaries, specifying actions considered harassment and outlining corresponding consequences.
Harassment, as defined by Square Enix, includes:
- Threats of violence and violent acts
- Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, and undue pressure
- Defamation, slander, personal attacks (across various online platforms), and threats of business disruption
- Persistent and intrusive inquiries and repeated visits
- Unauthorized entry onto company property
- Unlawful restraint through phone calls or online interactions
- Discriminatory remarks or actions based on race, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics
- Privacy violations, such as unauthorized photography or recording
- Sexual harassment and stalking
The policy also addresses "undue demands," such as unreasonable product exchanges, excessive apology requests, and unreasonable service requests.
Square Enix reserves the right to deny services to harassers and may pursue legal action or involve law enforcement in cases of malicious intent. This decisive action reflects the severity of past incidents, including death threats against staff and event cancellations due to online threats. Recent examples, such as the harassment faced by voice actor Sena Bryer, further emphasize the urgency of such protective measures. The company's commitment to employee safety is evident in its proactive approach to combating online harassment.
