Ubisoft begins 5-year program to improve workplace diversity

This story about systemic change, boiled down, in 1:21 minutes.

What's the fuss?

One of the largest video game developers in the world is adopting new practices focusing on diversity and inclusion - at a time when the issue is topical.

The situation

Headquartered in France but prominent around the world, Ubisoft is a juggernaut within the video game industry.

• Founded by five brothers, the company is home to many household franchises (i.e. Assassin's Creed, Tom Clancy, etc.) that have collectively sold hundreds of millions of copies.
• Over 20,000 employees stationed around the world work on these games, some of whom have experienced abysmal conditions.

Ubisoft has just launched a 5-year program in order to improve diversity in the workplace.

• Titled "Project Rise", the program will focus in particular on gender equality, race and ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and disability inclusion.
• Measures will be implemented in all areas of the company, such as talent acquisition and talent development.

Boiling it down

Ubisoft has been hit with a wave of allegations over the past few years regarding employee misconduct, harassment, and systemic sexism.

• Leadership has come forth with apologies and have promised company-wide change, however many have claimed that management hasn't done much.
• Key hires, such as a Chief People Officer and a VP of Diversity, are spearheading initiatives that hopefully allows Ubisoft to be a safer place to work.

Such issues are unfortunately industry-wide, with other companies of the same caliber fostering their own programs in response to their own allegations.

• Perhaps Project Rise will be a blueprint for others to follow suit, however it's much too early to tell.

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