Three former top executives from French video game company Ubisoft have been put on trial over claims they harassed employees both psychologically and sexually for nearly a decade. The trial began on March 10 but has been postponed until early June.
This case follows events from 2020 when Ubisoft employees shared their experiences on social media (#metoo), describing a toxic work environment and predatory behavior from managers. This prompted Ubisoft to investigate the claims, resulting in the departure of several senior executives.
The three men facing charges are Serge Hascoët, who was the company’s second-in-command as chief creative officer; Thomas François, who was vice president of editorial and creative services; and Guillaume Patrux, a senior executive. All three deny the accusations against them.
Thomas François faces the most serious allegations. According to reports by Le Monde, he regularly watched pornographic videos in the open office, made inappropriate comments about female employees’ appearances, and often insulted staff. Employees reported being humiliated almost daily. François is also accused of attempting to sexually assault a young employee at a Christmas party by trying to forcibly kiss her while colleagues held her.
According to investigative documents, François encouraged “his subordinates to act in the same way, using his influence and high hierarchical position within the company to this end.”
The investigation portrays the editorial department’s atmosphere as resembling “a teenager’s bedroom” where certain “creatives” could do as they pleased—burping, insulting women, and playing pornographic content on speakers.
Serge Hascoët, 59, is accused of making lewd comments, asking intrusive sexual questions, and making racist remarks. In one particularly troubling incident after the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, he allegedly asked a Muslim employee if she supported ISIS. The same employee reportedly had her computer background changed to images of bacon sandwiches and found food placed on her desk during Ramadan.
The third defendant, Guillaume Patrux, 39, faces charges of psychological harassment.
Though dozens of witnesses were interviewed during the investigation, many declined to file formal complaints “for fear of the reactions of the video game industry,” according to case documents.
When Ubisoft conducted an internal survey in 2020, they found that about 25% of their employees had either experienced professional misconduct at work or witnessed it happening.
The criminal court in Bobigny near Paris has adjourned the trial until June 2 after lawyers for both sides said they needed more time to review the case documents.
