Nintendo of America is currently investigating claims of sexual misconduct.
A company-wide message (via Kotaku) from president Doug Bowser explained that Nintendo acknowledges the “media coverage involving claims made about worker conduct.”
“We have strict policies designed to protect our employees and associates from inappropriate conduct and expect full compliance with these policies by all who work for or with us,” said Bowser. “We have and will always investigate any allegations we become aware of, and we are actively investigating these most recent claims.”
Nintendo has come under fire following claims that female contractors face a “frat house” environment with sexual harassment and misconduct claims.
“Nintendo was almost like a nightmare,” one contractor told Kotaku. “It’s sad because I love Nintendo; I grew up with Nintendo. I was so excited to join Nintendo when I first got there, and I thought I was going somewhere. I had my supervisors telling me I was doing such a good job.”
Another claimed that “[product testing] really felt like a frat house sometimes.”
They reportedly encountered jokes about gender stereotypes and female characters who go their skirts flipped. She alleges that when she complained, she was simply told she had to be “tough enough” to work in product testing.
“I have had people act in a way that made me uncomfortable, then asked me not to go to HR about it because I’d be ‘misinterpreting,’ making me feel guilty about my own discomfort,” said another tester. “I never felt as included in things or as respected.”
Back in November last year, Nintendo condemned sexual harassment allegations at Activision Blizzard calling reports “disturbing”.
“Along with all of you, I’ve been following the latest developments with Activision Blizzard and the ongoing reports of sexual harassment and toxicity at the company,” said Bowser at the time. “I find these accounts distressing and disturbing. They run counter to my values as well as Nintendo’s beliefs, values, and policies.”
Now, it’s Nintendo that’s under scrutiny, and Bowser wants to assure employees that Nintendo of America is taking it seriously.
“Please remember that our HR teams are here to support you,” he wrote. “If you experience, have experienced, witness, or have witnessed anything concerning such behavior that is contrary to our Standards of Conduct, employee handbook, or Company Values, please immediately contact your HR Business Partner.”
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.