Dave Ballard, an ex-employee at Naughty Dog accused a lead of sexual harassment in a series of Twitter posts on Saturday. He wrote that he was let go from the studio after informing the HR department of Sony, saying that he was offered $20000 in severance, on the condition that he remains silent about his time with the studio.
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
Naughty Dog has responded to the allegations on their website, saying, “We have recently read on social media that an ex-employee of Naughty Dog, Dave Ballard, claims he was sexually harassed when he worked at Naughty Dog. We have not found any evidence of having received allegations from Mr. Ballard that he was harassed in any way at Naughty Dog or Sony Interactive Entertainment. Harassment and inappropriate conduct have no place at Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment. We have taken and always will take reports of sexual harassment and other workplace grievances very seriously. We value every single person who works at Naughty Dog and Sony interactive Entertainment. It is of utmost importance to us that we maintain a safe, productive workplace environment that allows us all to channel our shared passion for making games.”
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