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Interesting find that I came across.
Employers discriminating against MMO players?
By Steven Perdikis - Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:57pm
Today, the Internet is awash with reports that employers and recruiters may discriminate against those who play arguably one of the most popular games on the planet - Blizzard Entertainment's highly successful World of Warcraft.
This report comes from an anonymous individual in the online media industry, who in conversation with a recruiter has revealed that he was informed that some employers, do not want World of Warcraft players in their workplace.
In a post on the f13.net forums, a community member by the name of "Tale" recounts a meeting with a recruiter in the online media industry:
I met with a recruiter recently (online media industry) and in conversation I happened to mention I'd spent way too much time in the early 2000s playing online games, which I described as "the ones before World of Warcraft" (I went nuts for EQ1, SWG and the start of WoW, but since 2006 I have only put a handful of days into MMOG playing - as opposed to discussing them - I've obsessed over bicycles and cycling instead).
He replied that employers specifically instruct him not to send them World of Warcraft players. He said there is a belief that WoW players cannot give 100% because their focus is elsewhere, their sleeping patterns are often not great, etc. I mentioned that some people have written about MMOG leadership experience as a career positive or a way to learn project management skills, and he shook his head. He has been specifically asked to avoid WoW players.
While at face value this could be considered fairly damning, no companies have been named. It can be argued that many MMO players could be seen to suffer from bizzare sleep patterns or constantly have their character's well-being in mind (contrary to their physical selves), it seems that this only occurs in the most extreme cases - which can lead to players severly damaging their potential to be successful in reality at the expense of a Level 80 alt.
The point of contention, in this case, is a matter of semantics. Are any employers able to discriminate based on ones hobbies? While some "hobbies" such as binge drinking or drug addiction could severely hamper the ability of a working individual, a healthy, productive gamer should be seen in the same light as anyone else in the workforce. Gaming is not taboo, nor is the MMO in itself. Why is it then, that some particular employers would rather not see World of Warcraft players grinding away at whatever task they're assigned, regardless of industry?
Better not mention you play WoW in an interview or at your work place lol.
Cheers,
Areia
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