Employee survey at Paradox Interactive alleges gender discrimination and “mistreatment”

A report has revealed an alleged culture of bullying and gender discrimination at developer and publisher Paradox Interactive.

The survey — conducted in August by two Swedish union groups, Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer — claims that 44% of the 133 employees who took part have experienced “mistreatment” at the company, according to Breakit.

These reports were particularly high at Paradox’s Swedish operations, which employ over 400 people.

Of that number, female employees make up 26% of the respondents (around 35 employees) and 69% said they had experienced abusive treatment, compared to 33% among the larger percentage of male staff.

The survey also described a “culture of silence” at the firm, with almost zero employees feeling as though their treatment had been handled appropriately.

“Offensive treatment is a systematic and far too common problem at Paradox,” the report concluded.

In response to the report, Paradox has sought to conduct its own internal survey among staff. According to a company-wide email, the company is “now in the process of bringing in an external, neutral company to conduct a thorough review of our process and a comprehensive employee survey.”

The report follows the resignation of former Paradox CEO Ebba Ljungerud, who left the firm last week due to “differing views on company strategy.”

Speaking to Breakit, Paradox’s new CEO Fredrik Wester said there is no correlation between the results of the survey and Ljungerud’s departure.

GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment and more information.

Paradox signed a bargaining agreement with Unionen last year, in order to give employees at the firm a formalised way to influence their pay, benefits and responsibilities.