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Former Naughty Dog employee says he was sexually harassed by a lead in late 2015

C

chadskin

Member
In late 2015, I was sexually harassed at Naughty Dog by a lead. My work environment became extremely toxic afterward. 1/

In February 2016 I had a mental breakdown at work & Sony Playstation HR became involved. When I told them about the harassment they... 2/

...ended the call and fired me the next day. They cited the company was moving in a different direction and my job was no longer needed. 3/

They tried to silence me by offering $20,000 if I signed a letter agreeing to the termination as well as to not discuss it with anyone. 4/

I declined to sign. I have been unemployed for 17 months since. When interviewers ask why I left Naughty Dog, I say I was burned out... 5/

...by the crunch, ashamed to get to the root of the problem of being sexually harassed. 6/

I'm speaking out now because of the strength I've seen in others coming forward about their experiences in the TV/Film industry. 7/

This is the hardest thing I've ever done. I will not let anyone kill my drive or love for the video game industry, my passions or life. /END
Click to expand...
https://twitter.com/dbal/status/919284577566412801

David Ballard worked as an environment artist on Uncharted 2, 3, 4 and The Last of Us.

Thanks @shinobi602

UPDATE w/ Naughty Dog statement: https://www.naughtydog.com/blog/an_important_statement_from_naughty_dog
We have recently read on social media that an ex-employee of Naughty Dog, Dave Ballard, claims he was sexually harassed when he worked at Naughty Dog. We have not found any evidence of having received allegations from Mr. Ballard that he was harassed in any way at Naughty Dog or Sony Interactive Entertainment. Harassment and inappropriate conduct have no place at Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment. We have taken and always will take reports of sexual harassment and other workplace grievances very seriously. We value every single person who works at Naughty Dog and Sony interactive Entertainment. It is of utmost importance to us that we maintain a safe, productive workplace environment that allows us all to channel our shared passion for making games.
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F

Funyarinpa

Member
Fucking hell.

FUCKING HELL.

Edit: Upon further reflection, I'm also feeling weird about Naughty Dog's progressive messages in its games (LGBT, PoC characters, etc.) in retrospect. Is this something that a single executive committed and covered up, or is there a wider infestation and shush order throughout Naughty Dog? Fucking crazy.
 
B

Broken Joystick

At least you can talk. Who are you?
There's also this response from someone else.

tlNbeEs.png


A quick google search of Naughty Dog and Niantic brings up someone, but I don't know what the rules are on this sort of stuff, don't want to start a witch hunt if it's not the right person.
 
N

NinjaCoachZ

Member
Sony firing and attempting to silence him makes me sick.

If there's one good thing that's come of all of Harvey Weinstein's bullshit it's that his exposure has caused the dam to break, bigtime. This isn't just a Hollywood problem - this runs deep in so many businesses and other institutions. Beyond brave of David to speak up and I hope that others are able to come forth and take action, and find the support they need as well.
 
Dice//

Dice//

Banned
Sexual harassment: It's everywhere.

I just want to remind the kind people to PLEASE don't ever pursue or push for any unwanted touching/attention.
All women (and men) ask is for respect -- that's it... That's really it. But even that seems to be a lot to ask for.
 
D

Damn Silly

Member
Fucking hell.

Brave of him to come forward, and I hope he's back and happy in the industry he loves sooner rather than later.
 
Rellik

Rellik

Member
Broken Joystick said:
There's also this response from someone else.

tlNbeEs.png


A quick google search of Naughty Dog and Niantic brings up someone, but I don't know what the rules are on this sort of stuff, don't want to start a witch hunt if it's not the right person.
Click to expand...

Yeah, don't do that on here. You don't deserve to go down for these scumbags.

It's Sony, ND and the person in question who deserve to go down.
 
H

Heckler456

Banned
Dice// said:
Sexual harassment: It's everywhere.

I just want to remind the kind people (but mostly men) (#notallmen) to PLEASE don't ever pursue or push for any unwanted touching/attention.
All women ask is for respect -- that's it... That's really it. But even that seems to be a lot to ask for.
Click to expand...

I want to point out that the OP is about a man.
 
S

shaneo632

Member
Broken Joystick said:
A quick google search of Naughty Dog and Niantic brings up someone, but I don't know what the rules are on this sort of stuff, don't want to start a witch hunt if it's not the right person.
Click to expand...

Yep I found this too, but I don't feel comfortable posting it unless the accuser wants to out them, especially as it could be the wrong person.
 
D

Dynasty

Member
Just like the Screen Junky situation remember HR is not your friend, there No.1 priority is the company, therefore they will generally take the side of higher-ups than lower level employees.
 
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