Square Enix Unveils Robust Anti-Harassment Policy to Protect Employees and Partners

Square Enix has proactively introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy designed to safeguard its employees and collaborators. This policy clearly defines unacceptable behavior, encompassing threats of violence, defamation, and other forms of harassment. The company asserts its right to deny services and pursue legal action against individuals engaging in such conduct.

The policy's implementation reflects a growing concern within the gaming industry regarding online harassment. High-profile incidents, such as threats against actors and the cancellation of events due to violence threats, underscore the need for stronger protective measures. Square Enix's policy aims to prevent similar situations from impacting its workforce.

The policy, detailed on the Square Enix website, covers all levels of the company, from support staff to executives. While encouraging fan feedback, the policy firmly establishes boundaries, explicitly outlining what constitutes harassment and the consequences of such actions.

Specifically, Square Enix defines harassment as encompassing: threats of violence, defamation, business obstruction, trespassing, persistent inquiries, unlawful restraint, discriminatory behavior, privacy violations, and sexual harassment. The company reserves the right to terminate services for those violating the policy and may pursue legal action or involve law enforcement in cases of malicious intent.

The policy also addresses undue demands, including unreasonable product exchanges, compensation requests, excessive service requests, and unreasonable demands for employee punishment.

This proactive measure by Square Enix underscores the unfortunate reality of online harassment within the gaming industry. Recent incidents, such as the targeted harassment of voice actors based on their identity, highlight the urgent need for such policies. Previous threats against Square Enix employees, including death threats related to in-game mechanics, leading to arrests, further emphasize the severity of the issue and the necessity of robust protective measures. The cancellation of past events due to similar threats mirrors the experiences of other companies like Nintendo.