Ex-dipendente di Naughty Dog licenziato dopo esser stato vittima di molestie sessuali

L'ex-Environment artist e Multiplayer level layout artist di Naughty Dog David Ballard ha recentemente scritto su Twitter di essere stato in passato vittima di molestie sessuali da parte di uno dei superiori di Naughty Dog.

I fatti sono avvenuti verso fine 2015, Ballard ha sopportato fino a febbraio 2016, dopo aver subito un crollo nervoso, quando denunciò gli avvenimenti al dipartimento delle risorse umane di Sony PlayStation. Durante la chiamata il dipartimento riagganciò la cornetta, e il giorno dopo Ballard si ritrovò licenziato. Stando a quanto egli dichiara, gli furono offerti ventimila dollari per comprare il suo silenzio, proposta che tuttavia rifiutò.

David Ballard ha lavorato più volte per Naughty Dog, precisamente durante lo sviluppo del secondo e del quarto capitolo di Uncharted e durante The Last of Us. Di seguito i numerosi tweet:

In late 2015, I was sexually harassed at Naughty Dog by a lead. My work environment became extremely toxic afterward. 1/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

In February 2016 I had a mental breakdown at work & Sony Playstation HR became involved. When I told them about the harassment they… 2/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

…ended the call and fired me the next day. They cited the company was moving in a different direction and my job was no longer needed. 3/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

They tried to silence me by offering $20,000 if I signed a letter agreeing to the termination as well as to not discuss it with anyone. 4/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

I declined to sign. I have been unemployed for 17 months since. When interviewers ask why I left Naughty Dog, I say I was burned out… 5/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

…by the crunch, ashamed to get to the root of the problem of being sexually harassed. 6/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

I'm speaking out now because of the strength I've seen in others coming forward about their experiences in the TV/Film industry. 7/

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017

This is the hardest thing I've ever done. I will not let anyone kill my drive or love for the video game industry, my passions or life. /END

— David Ballard (@DBal) October 14, 2017