IGN reported that d'Hondt stepped down as head of HR at Bungie after 14 years. A report with accounts by former and current employees paints a picture of a workplace culture that's both toxic and sexist. HR personnel were unwilling to help people and protect them.
In her email to employees, d'Hondt said she wanted to make sure everyone at Bungie had a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. She told employees in the email that the HR team needed to move forward with membership because they needed a large group of new people. It's not clear if d'Hondt is leaving the video game developer completely or just moving to a different role.
The former HR head mentioned that she had been abused at the company, and that she thought the male executive was her friend. She didn't name her abuser, but she did say that he was fired. She concluded.
I am proud of the work I did. I think I made recommendations that were in the best interest of the company we wish to become. We have to acknowledge and confront the mistakes we have made to become the better version of ourselves, I believe.
The studio is struggling to shake its toxic culture in an effort to foster a better one. In response to it, the company CEO apologized and admitted that the actions of the company caused pain. He talked about the changes the company has made over the past few years to make it a better place for employees, including removing bad actors regardless of their tenure, seniority or relationship with the company.
