Certain Affinity, an Austin, Texas-based development studio, is best known for its involvement in franchises Halo, Call of Duty or world of tanks. Its official website proudly displays its desire to create a healthy and quality work environment. Action is now taking place beyond the facade.
In fact, Max Hoberman, founder and CEO, announces through the voice financial support for employees of the company who live in one of the American states that restrict human rights. This support comes in the form of financial support for relocation for those wishing to settle in a safer state. It must be a place where the company carries out part of its activities.
As a business executive, it is extraordinarily difficult to navigate highly politicized issues such as transgender and abortion rights. But I’m not content to just sit back and say or do nothing. Here is a message I was very keen to share with everyone @CertainAffinity full-time employees today. pic.twitter.com/zTJvaTm9Il
— Max Hoberman (@MaxHoberman) May 18, 2022
What are we talking about exactly?
In contrast to the social advances of recent decades, some Republican-majority American states are meticulously dissolving hard-won rights.
Max Hoberman speaks about threats to transgender youth. This specifically relates to Texas’ decision to make Sanctions against the parents of minors making the transition. After several legal reversals, sex reassignment procedures are now equated with parental abuse. They will therefore be prosecuted.
At the same time the right to Abortion could be banned or severely restricted, such as access to contraception in much of the conservative stronghold. It is currently guaranteed by a Supreme Court decision. It is up to each state to organize the modalities. Some laws are already very restrictive, as in Texas, where abortions after six weeks of pregnancy are banned. A Supreme Court working paper was recently leaked. It suggests that the court decision authorizing the abortion will be annulled, plain and simple. The regulations then depend solely on the respective local level and no longer on the national level. according to a Study by the Guttmacher Institute
What action will Certain Affinity take?
Certain Affinity’s room for maneuver in the event of an abortion is very narrow. In fact, repression could affect both the women themselves and anyone who helps them.
The studio is therefore on the side not to violate any legal provisions. On the other hand, employees can submit requests for reimbursement of the cost of moving to a more hospitable location. The human resources department is also committed to supporting and advising those affected. However, it is unfortunate that this is reserved for full-time workers, save for the most precarious.
Certain Affinity is based in Texas, where there is a high risk of restrictions. Hoberman freely admits that he anticipates potential recruitment difficulties. Be that as it may, we can only applaud the CEO’s commitment in accordance with the values espoused by the company, against the current of toxic behaviors that are current among others.
