Working on X-rated material

scantey

I work for a gaming company and we just received a game in that is rated M for(mature). Since I have only worked on children games I am not sure if I need to have the employees sign a release that they are not offended by the material. I was thinking I would wait and see if anyone comes to me stating that they felt offended but I do not want them to come back later saying they felt violated. The game has frontal nudity in it. Any suggestions?

Cinderella

Frontal nudity, on a computer game? You've got to be kidding me. That is just so unnecessary. I have no idea what I would do in this situation.....eager to hear other formite's opinions.

LarryC

Why did you receive the game? Do you have to do anything with it? Is that part of your process where you receive games and then evaluate them or what? If this is a "Product" that you have to "process" somehow, someway; I would be upfront and direct with your people (much like the game is doing) and give them the option of "working" with it or not. If you're strictly a children's game "processing center", trash the thing or send it to me so I can "review" it and maybe come up with a better answer for you.....or maybe not.

My answer is full of assumptions about what you do there so if it seems like I don't know what I'm talking about, that's probably correct.

Don D

I don't know what type business yours is either; but, I'm going to equate the dilemma to that of a newly hired clerk at the 7-11. What if on day three she realizes the magazine rack contains Hustler and Penthouse and those other books that LarryC has stored up in his attic? What is the store's degree of responsibility to have informed her or to have gotten her consent to their being on display near her register? Maybe it's like 'informed consent' when she took the job and you have no liability.

Or the college girl who takes a summer job at the umbrella station on the beach in Destin, Florida. Is the stand operator liable if she complains about the guys in swimming trunks and Speedos who come into her grass hut in various stages of, shall we say, display? If every worksite is liable for the various forms of 'harassment' that take place in that facility and have an obligation to correct them, this goes much deeper than simply being sure people behave themselves acceptably at the workplace.

Keeping sexy calendars out of toolboxes in the shop is one thing. Hustler magazines for sale and things popping out of Speedos is quite another. What to do?

Cinderella

I definitely didn't need the visual on the speedos. #-o

This thread causes me to remember my days as a bookseller in a large national chain. I didn't care that they sold playboy / playgirl. I also didn't care that they sold magazines and books about how cool and neato drug use is. I didn't care that the "sexuality section" shelves were so "well browsed" that the books were almost falling apart and the manager added more chairs and benches to that area so people would be more comfortable while they read Nancy Friday. I didn't care that they sold the Satanic Bible or Mien Kumpf (sp?). I did, however, care that the store sold Jacque Stergis (sp?) books full of pictures of naked children touted as "art". The really sick thing is they sold like hot cakes. I hated ringing those up. The store didn't have any policies that addressed employees working with these types of materials. The only policy they had was if a customer called up (or showed up) and asked if we sold "pornography" we were supposed to get the manager. He would then say, "no, we do not sell pornography". If the customer pointed out the playboy's, etc. then the manager would say "we don't consider that pornography". It was kinda weird.

We had a lot of painters, sculpters and other artists display their work for sale in the store. I remember one time a sculpter brought in a statue he created of a woman with a breast exposed. It was (in my opinion) tasteful and quite beautiful (in "Greek style" if you will). The manager hit the roof and said it could not be displayed in our "family oriented store".

Rockie

I am assuming you are in the business of producing and/or distributing these games. If this type of game is something that is outside the norm of your business, I would definitely inform the employees of the material they will be working on and give them the opportunity to "opt out" if they are offended. It would not be a bad idea to have them sign a memo stating they have been informed of the content of this game and have been given the option to not work on it (I am again assuming they would have this choice).

If employees came into this environment working on adult games, that would be one thing, but if they came into a childrens' game environment and this was "sprung" on them, it might be offensive as well as a shock!

Crout

I'm not sure what a signed release is going to do for you since we're talking about an emotional response, which could change five minutes after the release is signed. I think there's a big difference between hard core x-rated material and stuff that's meant for adults, and unless it's truly x-rated I don't think I would allow employees to make the decision whether or not to work on that particular game. One can play the "I feel offended game" all day long. My approach would be that it's part of the job and if someone feels that they cannot work on such material they should look for other employment. I also would make sure that all incoming candidates for positions understand that the types of games they are expected to work on include adult versions.

Whatever

I agree with Rockie and give the option to opt out (particularly if they were not told about in the job interview). For some people full frontal nudity is hardcore pornography.

HRsage

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-28-04 AT 09:24AM (CST)[/font][br][br]Hi Scantey, we're neighbors! I live in Ventura County. x:D

I'm leaning more towards Rockie and Whatever's solution and having a memo and giving the chance to express any concerns at that time.
It sounds like this is something new to your employees and so being proactive may be better than being reactive. Just my thoughts, good luck.

scantey

Thank you all for your input. We were primarily a childrens gaming company (until times got tough) and we were sold to a much larger gaming company who publishes some hard core games. We have a fairly large testing facility so sometimes we are asked to help out our Corporate office and test some of their games. I will draft a memo for those working on the game and for those who are not comfortable with the material I will post signs around the area letting them know they should not go back there. Thanks again for all of your help!

Gillian3

This reminds me of going into a company years ago pertaining to conducting harassment training. I was warned ahead of time that it was "different". They manufactured cheesecake photo's (in various stages of undress) and the product was all over the walls of the facility. Although I didn't get the job I decided that the best approach was "the product is the product" and harassment didn't arrive until somebody started using the product to intimidate or otherwise harass other employees - one saying "I bet you look like Susy on the wall without your clothes on" etc. In this case, it might depend on whether the game you have received is a one time event or whether it is a new business line. If it is a one time event, I would allow people to opt out. If this is the first of a series, I would advise people that the business is changing, that you hope they can accomodate to the change but if they can't they might want to look around for other employment.

LFernandes

I would definately have them sign a memo with the following condition attached. If at any point during the "testing" of these adult games, the person becomes uncomfortable with them, they have the right to ask for reassignment back to the children's section - no questions asked.

Just my thoughts an opinion. I definately don't envy you on this one!!

LFernandes

Don D

Then when the games come in with the themes of people whacking off the heads of opponents, monsters devouring running children, fire consuming people, buildings crushing the skulls of men, beautiful women characatures with scant clothing on being chased and beaten or decapitated by fierce gladiators....the employees would have the ability to 'opt out' of that work also? Once you open the gate of 'opting out' and 'deciding where in the facility you will work', you will have problems.

LFernandes

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-28-04 AT 02:06PM (CST)[/font][br][br]What if senerio:

What if the first part of the game was mildly graphic and the EE felt that they could tolerate it but further on, it becomes very explicit? Should the employee be forced to continue testing it even if it makes them extremely uncomfortable?

If they turn off the game because it bothers them, would it become insubordination if they refuse to continue to test it?

I wonder how the adult magazine employer's handle it.

Crout

They CAN'T be forced to work on it. They have the freedom to walk right out the door and never look back the instant they feel uncomfortable. But that's NOT what people will do...they will want it BOTH ways. They want their paycheck, but will also grasp at the sudden freedom to walk away from assigned tasks the moment they feel "uncomfortable" with the task because of the content.

Gillian3

In the situation described I view "opting out" as being appropriate ONLY if this is expected to be a one time event. If the business is expecting to continue to specialize in non X-rated material it would be unfair and a major blunder not to allow employees who would be offended by the material to opt out. Forcing them to participate would create morale issues, potential charges of harassment and probable turnover.

If time goes on and more X-rated material shows up then we are back to "this is what the business is" and if you are to work here you must be comfortable with it.

Crout

Bah, humbug. To me it's all part of the wimping of America. The next thing you know we'll lose even more of our porno industry to off-shore interests. Goofing aside, I do think that it would be quite a stretch to extrapolate individual or collective charges of sexual harassment based on this business decision. Again, I don't think the standard should be "comfort." But all things considered, your approach is likely the best.

Don D

What about the girl in the umbrella hut in Destin?