An unsafe playing field : Examining the troubling state of video game industry employees and their problems at work.

Sammanfattning: Instances of professional misconduct, such as sexual harassment, mobbing and bullying, have become increasingly common, particularly in male-dominated industries like the video games industry. This has led to work-life balance problems and a high turnover rate among employees, especially females. Despite existing policies, female workers continue to face unwelcome situations and feel marginalized by their colleagues. The lack of robust measures from authorities to address professional misconduct adds to their insecurity and intention to leave their jobs. This workplace unrest and role conflicts also prevent employees from fulfilling their emotional, social, and familial responsibilities. A mixed methods research study was conducted to understand the reasons behind the increase in professional misconduct and the factors contributing to its severity at the workplaces in the gaming industry. The study found that employees, particularly females, are subjected to bullying, mobbing, and sexual harassment. They are often not considered integral to the industry by their co-workers, but male employees also experience professional misconduct, but to a lesser degree. Urgent attention and effective measures are needed to create a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees, regardless of gender, and to address the rising incidence of professional misconduct, thereby improving work-life balance.