Gone Home Co-Creator Steps Down Over ‘Toxic’ Workplace Reports

Steve Gaynor, the co-founder of Gone Dwelling builders Fullbright, has left his place as inventive lead and supervisor on their newest sport Open Roads following allegations he fostered a “poisonous” work setting.

Earlier as we speak, Open Roads’ Twitter account posted the next message, saying solely that “We’re…fervent believers in fostering a piece setting that’s wholesome and collaborative”, and that Gaynor had “stepped again from his function as inventive lead and supervisor”.

Shortly afterwards, Polygon reported the departure in a lot larger element, saying that since improvement of Open Roads started in 2019 fifteen employees had left the studio, whereas twelve of those that had left spoke with the location and “stated their departure was no less than partially as a consequence of Gaynor’s habits towards employees, particularly ladies on the staff”.

The report additionally says 10 of the 12 workers who’ve left have been ladies, and that Gaynor had truly left his function again in March, “after it grew to become clear that the steps that have been already being taken to enhance his interactions with the staff have been solely yielding non permanent outcomes.” One former worker “in a management place” instructed Polygon that “Working for him typically felt like working for a highschool imply lady. His go-to weapon was to chortle at folks’s opinions and embarrass them in entrance of different folks.”

Whereas the allegations—and revelation that there had already been steps being taken to “enhance his interactions with the staff”—are substantial, Gaynor has not left the corporate, and even improvement on the sport. As a substitute he’ll “transition to a task as a author”, the place he’ll stay as considered one of a reported six folks nonetheless at Fullbright engaged on the sport.

Fullbright launched the critically-acclaimed Gone Dwelling in 2014, and adopted it up with Tacoma in 2017. Open Roads had been due for launch in 2021.

Replace 08/04/2021 9:37 p.m. ET: Gaynor has issued an announcement that reads:

Hello all. I’ve an announcement to share about my function at Fullbright. Earlier this yr, I stepped again from my function as inventive lead on Open Roads. My management type was hurtful to those who labored at Fullbright, and for that I really apologize.

Stepping again has given me area and perspective to see how my function wants to vary and the way I must be taught and enhance as a part of a staff, together with working with an knowledgeable administration marketing consultant, and rethinking my relationship to the work at Fullbright.

I care deeply about Open Roads and the Fullbright staff. I’m unhappy to have stepped again from day-to-day improvement of Open Roads, however it’s been the best factor to do. The Open Roads staff has my full religion and assist as they convey the sport to completion.