Benzinga | Jan 18, 2022 05:26AM EST

Activision Blizzard Removes 37 Employees, Takes Action Against 44 Others For Sexual Misconduct: Report

* Activision Blizzard Inc (NASDAQ:ATVI) confirmed the exit of 37 employees and disciplinary action against 44 others since July in a bid to address allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct, the Wall Street Journal reports.

* The move follows sustained pressure from shareholders, staff, and business partners.

* Related Content: WSJ Says Activision Blizzard CEO Feigned Ignorance About Employee Sexual Misconduct For Several Years

* Activision Employees, Shareholders, Sony Demand CEO Resignation

* Activision was likely to summarize those personnel actions, but CEO Bobby Kotick held it back to avoid possible exaggeration.

* Activision had collected ~700 reports of employee concern over misconduct and other issues since the July state agency lawsuit against the company over harassment claims.

* Activision said, "the assertion regarding Mr. Kotick is untrue."

* Price Action: ATVI shares closed higher by 1.90% at $65.39 on Friday.