Activision Blizzard is set to implement job cuts at its Irish office located in Blackpool, Cork. The news, first reported by the Irish Examiner and as corroborated by GamesIndustry.biz, indicates that 136 positions are expected to be affected by the reported redundancies, accounting for a significant portion of the estimated 200-strong workforce at the Cork office established in 2007.
Read Also: Sea of Thieves Expansion in the Works? Clues Emerge for PS5, Switch, and Epic Versions
Initial Reports and Government Statements
As reported by GamesIndustry.biz and covered by the Irish Examiner, Michéal Martin, the deputy prime minister of Ireland, confirmed the potential impact on 136 employees and expressed concern about the situation. Activision Blizzard has not officially responded to the reports, and GamesIndustry.biz is actively seeking clarification on the matter.
The news follows a previous statement from the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, which acknowledged receiving a collective redundancy notification concerning possible job cuts at Blizzard Entertainment Ireland Limited. This notification raised alarms about the future of employment for a significant portion of the Cork office's workforce.
Political Response and Employee Concerns
Irish MP Mick Barry, a member of the People Before Profit political party, voiced his apprehensions about the reported job cuts. Barry claimed that employees facing potential redundancies had encountered difficulties engaging with Activision through their chosen trade union for representation.
In his statement, Barry emphasized the need for companies entering the country to engage with trade unions and address the concerns of workers who have dedicated years to their employers. He asserted that such significant cutbacks should involve open dialogue with the representatives chosen by the affected workforce.
Context and Previous Layoffs
It is worth noting that the Cork office has already experienced workforce reductions earlier this year during the Microsoft layoffs in January. Activision's Dublin office was reportedly affected during that wave of layoffs, but it appears to be unaffected by the current round.
As of February 22, 2024, a representative from Activision Blizzard has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that the planned layoffs in the Irish office were already encompassed within the company's previously announced round of 1,900 job cuts.
Related Article: Embracer Group Pulls the Plug on Mysterious Deus Ex Game, Layoffs Follow
