Square Enix Creates New Policy To Protect Employees From Toxic Fans

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 employees and collaborators from online abuse and threats. The policy clearly defines various forms of harassment, ranging from direct threats of violence and defamation to more subtle forms of intimidation and online bullying.

The gaming industry, increasingly interconnected through digital platforms, has unfortunately witnessed a rise in harassment targeting developers, voice actors, and other professionals. Square Enix's new policy reflects a necessary response to this concerning trend, mirroring similar initiatives undertaken by other companies in the face of online threats and abuse. Notable past incidents include death threats against actors and the cancellation of live events due to online harassment.

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

• Harassment: Threats of violence, abusive language, intimidation, defamation, stalking, persistent unwanted contact, trespassing, discriminatory remarks, privacy violations, and sexual harassment.
• Undue Demands: Unreasonable product returns, demands for monetary compensation, excessive service requests, and unreasonable requests for apologies targeting specific employees.

Square Enix asserts its right to deny services to those engaging in harassment and, in cases involving malicious intent, pursue legal action or involve law enforcement.

This proactive measure by Square Enix underscores the growing need for robust anti-harassment policies within the gaming industry. Recent incidents, such as the online abuse faced by voice actors like Sena Bryer, highlight the severity of this issue. Past experiences, including death threats against Square Enix staff leading to arrests, further emphasize the necessity of such protective measures. The company's previous cancellation of a tournament due to similar threats reinforces the seriousness of the problem and the importance of preventative action. The policy serves as a strong statement of Square Enix's commitment to the safety and well-being of its team and partners.