Activision Blizzard worried that downsizing will disrupt operations

[Cal Jeffrey]

In context: Activision Blizzard has been in the process of restructuring to meet financial expectations. However, its recent decision to reduce its workforce by eight percent may not be having the desired effect that shareholders had hoped. The company's annual 10-K filed with the SEC indicates that employee attrition and morale could disrupt business.

In its 10-K report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Activision Blizzard felt the need to warn investors that its recent restructuring efforts may hurt operations.

“We may not realize the expected financial and operational benefits of our recently announced restructuring plan, and its implementation may negatively impact our business,” the filing reads.

Last month the company announced it would be laying off nearly 800 staff members. The company is primarily concerned that its plans will not meet expected timelines due to local labor regulations and “operational requirements” among other things.

However, it also voiced concerns that the cuts may bring low employee morale and the loss of talented staff.

“The implementation of this restructuring plan may also be costly and disruptive to our business or have other negative consequences, such as attrition beyond our planned reduction in workforce or negative impacts on employee morale and productivity, or on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees. Any of these consequences could negatively impact our business.”

The publishing giant's troubles first began to manifest in December of last year when it began offering some employees the option to leave the company voluntarily with a substantial severance package. Then in January, it lost two CFOs practically back-to-back. Activision CFO Spencer Neumann was poached by Netflix, and Amrita Ahuja, the financial chief for Blizzard left for a position with Square.

The job cuts are just the most recent sign of internal strife within the company. Of its approximately 9,900 employees, Activision Blizzard is looking to let go about 775. The move is somewhat surprising considering the company posted record profits in 2018 mostly thanks to its shift to a microtransactional focus.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/79029-activision-blizzard-worried-downsizing-disrupt-operations.html

 

[EClyde]

800 out due to local labor regulations.

 

[toooooot]

Come on people, this is a normal practice.
Look around, look at yourself.
You got health, you got your family, your got to live in a peaceful land
without radioactive mutants trying to devour you.
That is enough for a good morale.

 

[Zorak]

None of this sounds like a game company.

 

[R00sT3R]

But Hey, Bobby still get's his bonus!!! so everything is OK.

 

[kevbev89]

Come on people, this is a normal practice.
Look around, look at yourself.
You got health, you got your family, your got to live in a peaceful land
without radioactive mutants trying to devour you.
That is enough for a good morale.

From what I understand it was mostly how unexpected it was for the employees who were lay off. Especially when everybody knew how much the top executives were cashing in right before the lay off happened.

We all know that lay offs happen. It is more of the sour taste when they made record profits in 2018 and still got kicked out.

 

[EClyde]

Come on people, this is a normal practice.
Look around, look at yourself.
You got health, you got your family, your got to live in a peaceful land
without radioactive mutants trying to devour you.
That is enough for a good morale.

800 out due to local labor regulations.

 

[Morris Minor]

Learn to code.... oh