Wizards of the Coast Employees Walk Out Over Hasbro's 'Tone-Deaf' Response to Overturning of Roe v. Wade

[Retreater]

Thanks to all for pointing out that some of WotC's subsidiaries are located outside Washington. So I stand corrected regarding my earlier post that it wasn't relevant topic for the company.

 

[Jahydin]

Good luck to the WotC employees who are standing up against their cowardly corporate leadership. I may be done spending my money on Hasbro products.

I think WotC would appreciate it if you kept buying their products at least.

 

[payn]

If you want to be angry about any recent changes to laws, get angry at the people who are actually changing the law. WotC is, to the best of my knowledge, not that company. Direct your efforts at the people who are your actual enemies, not the people who support you but don't do it hard enough.

WotC employees should care about this. We should all be having discussions with our employers about this. But unless you work for a company that spends money lobbying in Congress, your employer is not the root cause of the problem. Don't let the people who are the real problem distract you with infighting instead of taking part in real and meaningful political opposition.

The thing is after citizens united corporations are considered people in U.S. politics. People with huge influence and deep deep pockets. Enlisting them as allies in your fight is very effective.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

They are (or at least used to be before the purchase) based in Alabama, but - of course - your point still stands.

Thank you, I don’t know why I mixed that up.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

As a Swedish person leaning strong to the left, I choose not to ban myself by using the words that this matter deserv. Let's just say that I'm happy that some people in the US are willing to risk their jobs for stuff that really, really matter.

Here I deleted a couple of paragraphs with my sad thoughts over what the US is doing to itself and it's people. But nothing good will come from me putting that in this forum. Just take care of yourselves US gamers and stay safe.

 

[Blue Orange]

Companies tend to avoid speaking out on this issue:
Companies Are More Vocal Than Ever on Social Issues. Not on Abortion. (NYT paywall)
Here's a roundup of what various big companies are doing:

Uber, Nike, Lyft, Disney, JP Morgan and others vow to help employees access abortions after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade: 'We must keep up the fight'

Numerous US companies have gone public saying they'd front the costs for employees traveling to seek abortions.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[Morrus]

I wish those employee's well and that they walk away forever. You are paid to create content to entertain. Entertain me with content not your beliefs. I am on neither side of the debate.

I don't know what you do for a living. Plumber? Postal worker? Whatever it is please refrain from ever commenting on anything in public but that exact topic from now on. You're not being paid to express views.

Obnoxious, isn't it? Please do not use this forum in an attempt to silence people with whom you disagree, whether that's a game designer, an actor, or anybody else you personally feel should remain silent on all topics other than their day job.

 

[Grendel_Khan]

Threads like this are useful, I think, in figuring out where we all stand. Because I also think certain fundamental beliefs are important context for all kind of other topics, even something as comparatively trivial as RPGs and the RPG industry.

As for Hasbro, I'd be really surprised if they make a statement condemning Dobbs or offering travel expenses for abortions. This segment/article from about a week ago is surprisingly relevant now--and highlights, imo, the fact that companies can claim they have a social mission or want to promote social good, but what happens when that means being specific, and taking risks? Hasbro leans on the generic version of that. How long can they or any other company do so?

Not just fun and games, Hasbro part of growing list of companies who say they're focused on social impact

As the idea of a 21st-century company with a positive social mission takes hold, critics say it doesn't necessarily mean businesses have fine-tuned their sense of altruism.

www.wbur.org

 

[Maxperson]

Okay Im neither American nor a Woman but what did Hasbro do?

Have they cut health benefits or is it a protest because Hasbro has made No Response at all?

I'm not sure, but it seems that the employees want Hasbro/WotC to pay for something that isn't the responsibility of the company to pay for. Especially in light of California(and I expect New York and maybe a few others to follow suit) offering to pay the costs for women who need to travel to get an abortion.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Threads like this are useful, I think, in figuring out where we all stand. Because I also think certain fundamental beliefs are important context for all kind of other topics, even something as comparatively trivial as RPGs and the RPG industry.

As for Hasbro, I'd be really surprised if they make a statement condemning Dobbs or offering travel expenses for abortions. This segment/article from about a week ago is surprisingly relevant now--and highlights, imo, the fact that companies can claim they have a social mission or want to promote social good, but what happens when that means being specific, and taking risks? Hasbro leans on the generic version of that. How long can they or any other company do so?

Not just fun and games, Hasbro part of growing list of companies who say they're focused on social impact

As the idea of a 21st-century company with a positive social mission takes hold, critics say it doesn't necessarily mean businesses have fine-tuned their sense of altruism.

www.wbur.org

I'm actually wondering how much of Hasbro's leadership will still have their jobs a year from now, at this point. WoTC is the primary income source right now.