Pokemon GO’s developer, Niantic, will be proceeding to trial after failing to move a class-action lawsuit filed against it into arbitration. Read on to learn more details about the situation.
Niantic Fails to Dismiss Sexual Bias Lawsuit After Judge’s Ruling
Following a failed attempt at moving a class-action lawsuit to arbitration, Niantic, famed developer of Pokémon GO and Monster Hunter NOW, will be proceeding to trial for allegations of sexual bias.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle ruled in favor of the plaintiff, two of Niantic’s former employees, citing that their allegation regarding their exposure to a hostile gender-based work environment was protected under the 2021 Ending Forced Arbitration Act.
"The ruling is a watershed moment for sexual harassment and gender bias cases because it clarifies that the protections of the 2021 Ending Forced Arbitration Act do indeed encompass cases in which sexual overtures are not the focus," said Attorney Genie Harrison in an official press release statement.
Context of The Sexual Bias Case
The lawsuit was first filed in July 2023, soon after the company’s summer job culling. The first plaintiff, who was among the hundreds laid off from the company, accused Niantic of creating a "boy’s club", and blatantly denying equal pay to female employees and women of color.
An amended complaint soon followed in September 2023 when another anonymous former employee, now the second plaintiff, put forward allegations of sexism, halted career advancement, and outright banning of the term "boy’s club" to describe the company.
Niantic sought to have the case moved to arbitration on the grounds that this was agreed upon by the former employees. The plaintiff argued against it on the grounds that said arbitration agreement excludes claims involving sexual bias and that the matter should be heard in court.
Both claims were addressed during the hearing in Los Angeles on November 21, 2023, which resulted in the above-mentioned judge’s ruling.
Niantic’s Statement On the Allegations
"Niantic is committed to maintaining a fair and welcoming workplace – one where we build games that bring people together in the real world," said Niantic’s official spokesperson in a statement. "While we take the allegations very seriously, they do not reflect how we operate as a company and we do not believe the action has merit."
The plaintiffs opted to move forward with the case now that efforts to move it to arbitration have been blocked. Niantic hasn’t provided an updated statement on the matter.
