Labor Laws
Ongoing coverage on Labor Laws.
Latest coverage
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor brings back 'over half' of furloughed staff
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun rehiring over half of the employees it previously furloughed. CEO Greg Foertsch stated this is an important step forward for the studio and the game's continued support. The article notes that while many employees are returning, a significant number remain furloughed, and discusses the nuances of labor regulations regarding furloughs versus layoffs.
NYC Mayor Mamdani announces support for the Delivery Protection Act
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, a measure aimed at regulating the use of contractors for last-mile delivery services. Amazon is reportedly opposing the legislation, which seeks to establish protections for delivery workers.
Bethesda accused of breaking Canadian labor laws with Montreal layoffs
Bethesda is facing accusations of violating Canadian labor laws following recent layoffs. This situation is part of a larger trend of job cuts within the Xbox gaming division.
Union accuses Bethesda of violating labour laws in Canada following layoffs at Montreal studio
The union OneBGS has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda, accusing the company of violating Canadian labor laws following recent layoffs at its Montreal studio. The union alleges that Bethesda issued termination letters to employees, contradicting previous assurances of continued employment until September and offering the minimum legally required severance without union negotiation. These claims follow broader allegations of unlawful layoffs by Xbox, with unfair labor practice charges filed against Microsoft and its subsidiaries.
Bethesda Montreal’s Laid Off Employees Told They Will Get Bare Minimum Severance, No Healthcare
Employees laid off from Bethesda's Montreal studio have reportedly been offered the minimum legal severance and lost healthcare benefits, according to the union OneBGS. This contradicts earlier statements about negotiating with the union. Bethesda and Xbox leadership are facing legal complaints for alleged labor law violations in Canada. Despite these issues, the company reaffirmed its focus on The Elder Scrolls 6 and upcoming Fallout projects.
Union claims Bethesda developers were laid off the day Xbox announced new Fallouts—after being told they would…
The Bethesda Game Studios Union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda, alleging violations of Canadian labor laws. The union claims that Bethesda prematurely terminated Canadian employees on July 17, the same day Xbox announced remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and confirmed Fallout 5 is in early development. Union representatives stated that affected employees were initially told they would remain employed until September while severance was negotiated, but instead received termination letters with the bare legal minimum severance and immediate loss of benefits.
Laid off Bethesda Montreal staff allegedly told they'd get "smallest severance legally possible" the same day as those Fallout announcements
Laid-off employees at Bethesda Montreal have claimed they were informed of receiving the minimum legal severance on the same day Xbox announced new Fallout projects. The union representing Bethesda Game Studios staff alleges that Canadian employees received termination letters stating they would get eight weeks of pay in lieu of notice and lose health insurance immediately. The union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda for violating labor laws.
"Unconscionable": The day of Bethesda's Fallout reveal explosion, its laid-off Montreal devs were told they "would receive the smallest severance legally possible" and "immediately" lose health insurance benefits, union says
Bethesda's Montreal union, OneBGS, claims that laid-off developers are being offered the minimum legally required severance pay and are losing health insurance immediately. This is occurring despite parent company Microsoft's significant profits and investments in the intellectual property the developers helped create. The union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda for alleged labor law violations.
Evening Legal Briefs
The Writers Guild of America has filed a lawsuit to block the proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. Separately, a lawsuit claims Meta Platforms made layoff decisions using AI rather than human judgment.
Saturday Legal Briefs
Atlassian illegally fired a worker, resulting in a rare legal victory for tech employees. The article also briefly mentions a separate issue where Microsoft allegedly deleted a user's account.
While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, spinning off five studios and implementing widespread layoffs. While some studios regain independence or find new owners, the fate of Arkane Studios, specifically Arkane Lyon in France, remains undecided as negotiations involving Microsoft, studio management, and employee representatives are ongoing. This situation highlights differing labor law protections between France and the US, with Arkane Lyon's future potentially involving sale, management buyout, or closure.
Arkane temporarily spared in Xbox bloodbath thanks to French law, but its future is up in the air
Arkane Lyon is reportedly entering negotiations for an independent exit from Xbox due to French labor laws, which prevent immediate layoffs. While the studio's future, including the development of Marvel's Blade, is uncertain, these laws offer a different path compared to the abrupt closures of other Xbox studios like Arkane Austin. Negotiations could still result in significant layoffs at Arkane Lyon.
Rockstar devs allege crunch is so common at the GTA 6 studio that it's "built into" contracts and you…
Rockstar Games developers are alleging that crunch is so common it's built into employment contracts, allowing the company to bypass UK labor regulations. Developers seeking union recognition also claim there is a culture of unequal pay and inconsistent bonuses. As Grand Theft Auto 6 nears its release, crunch reportedly varies by team, with some employees experiencing it continuously.
Former Xbox Employees Warn of Retaliation From Studio Leadership Ahead of Rumored Layoffs
Former Xbox employees have spoken out about alleged toxic behavior from studio leadership, warning that speaking out against superiors or filing complaints can lead to retaliation, including termination or being pressured to leave. Glenn Israel, former art director at Halo Studios, shared his experiences and advised current employees to be aware of their labor rights and to consult legal counsel if facing layoffs or disputes.
Obsidian sued in class action lawsuit over alleged "systematic pattern of wage and hour violations"
Obsidian Entertainment is facing a class action lawsuit in California, accused of a systematic pattern of wage and hour violations. The lawsuit, filed by a former QA lead, alleges the studio failed to pay minimum wages, overtime, and wages due upon separation, as well as denying meal and rest breaks. Obsidian denies all allegations and seeks dismissal of the suit.
Obsidian Entertainment is Facing a Class Action Lawsuit for Wage Theft, Breaking Labor Laws
Obsidian Entertainment is facing a class action lawsuit alleging systematic wage and hour violations, including unpaid overtime, denied breaks, and failure to reimburse business expenses. The lawsuit, filed in California, claims the studio engaged in wage theft, impacting non-exempt employees. Obsidian denies the allegations and is seeking dismissal or forced arbitration.
