A recent report suggests that the dismissal of 34 employees from Rockstar Games was triggered by discussions regarding changes to the company’s Slack policies. According to People Make Games, staff members were let go after sharing details about these changes on an invite-only Discord server, which was established in 2022 for those interested in unionisation at the gaming studio.
This Discord forum included members from the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, allowing secure discussions among union representatives and employees. However, there was a common channel where both unionized and non-unionized employees could engage in conversations.
In early October, Rockstar eliminated several internal Slack channels meant for casual discussions, citing concerns about their impact on productivity. One of the affected channels was focused on gaming news and had been used to share information about widespread layoffs within the industry. These changes also included restrictions on what employees could post as their status messages on Slack.
Rockstar enforced a policy that denied staff access to company emails outside of the office. When emails detailing the new Slack policies were communicated, some employees who were away from the office shared this information in the Discord server. This led to concerns about confidentiality, prompting management to investigate the Discord activity.
The company, alongside its parent organization Take-Two Interactive, labeled the dismissals as “gross misconduct.” However, employees who spoke to People Make Games indicated they were unaware of any breaches regarding confidential information, noting instead that discussions had revolved around topics like salaries.
Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB, emphasized that discussing workplace conditions, including policies and bonuses, is a normal practice for employees. He criticized Rockstar’s response, suggesting it reveals a lack of transparency and an intent to instill fear among workers. Marshall highlighted how such actions could undermine solidarity and unity among employees.
While Take-Two has refrained from providing additional comments on the situation, the IWGB union has characterized Rockstar’s actions as union busting, a claim the company denies. They have initiated a wrongful dismissal case against the firm in response to the firings.
In a show of support, over 200 employees from Rockstar North have signed a letter requesting the reinstatement of the dismissed workers, and affected staff have participated in protests in London and Edinburgh, advocating for their colleagues’ rights and livelihoods. The ongoing support and activism from other employees signal a potential turning point at Rockstar, emphasizing the importance of workers’ rights and collective bargaining in the gaming industry.