Crunchyroll the world's largest anime streaming platforms, is facing new allegations regarding its corporate culture. A former employee claims he was fired after reporting a hostile work environment.
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Shawn Hoffman , a former senior software engineer at Crunchyroll , revealed that he faced backlash after being let go after requesting an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to his diagnosis of anxiety and depression. At the same time, he was facing a difficult time with his mother's terminal illness worsening, making the situation even more challenging.
According to Hoffman, after his request, he began to be treated hostilely within the company. On one occasion, a manager, who wasn't even his direct superior, allegedly swore at him and made an obscene gesture. He claims to have documented the incident and reported it to HR, but he noticed a change in his treatment at the company. Shortly thereafter, he was fired on the grounds of "policy violation," while the manager remained on staff. Hoffman also alleged that he was offered a financial settlement to keep the matter confidential.
In just two months at the company, Hoffman has contributed significantly to the platform, developing an advanced video encoding pipeline, combating piracy, assisting with hiring, resolving critical incidents, and ensuring a stable infrastructure for the broadcast of Demon Slayer .
Hoffman's contributions to Crunchyroll
These allegations come at a turbulent time for Crunchyroll. According to Bloomberg, the company has undergone three rounds of layoffs since being acquired by Sony in 2021. The transition has been turbulent, with several executives replaced by former Funimation employees and external hires. Employees have reported that the new management is disconnected from both the team and the otaku community.
Furthermore, Crunchyroll is struggling to reach its "25 by 25" goal, which aims to reach 25 million subscribers by the end of 2025. Competition from Netflix , Disney , and Amazon , combined with challenges in expanding into new markets, directly impacts this goal. Investment in games and merchandising has also suffered setbacks, resulting in cuts in these areas.
Another controversial point addressed by Bloomberg is the accusations against Markus Gerdemann, the company's senior vice president. He allegedly fostered an exclusionary environment and inappropriate behavior, affecting team morale. Despite two formal complaints, an internal investigation concluded that there was no wrongdoing.
Sony acquired Crunchyroll in 2021 and subsequently merged the platform with Funimation . The company recently signed a multi-billion dollar deal with KADOKAWA stake in the company. It also announced a new manga app, further expanding its market presence.
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