Bungie HR Head Steps Down In Response To Last Week’s Controversial Exposé

Bungie Head of Human Resources Gayle d’Hondt has stepped down from the position after filling the role for over 14 years. Her decision is part of Bungie’s efforts to promote a safer, healthier, and more inclusive working environment following IGN’s earlier report of toxicity, crunch culture, and sexism within the company.

In an email sent to all Bungie employees, d’Hondt said that she will do everything in her power to ensure that everyone who works at the company will have a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. She also cited the need for the HR team to move forward with members largely comprised of people who are new to Bungie.

“I know that they need to be trusted to be your advocates – not labeled as 'enablers' or seen as company resources who provide bad actors with safe harbor,” wrote d’Hondt.

In her farewell message, d’Hondt also recounted going through “deeply challenging interpersonal conflicts,” which included terminating employees for poor performance, bad behavior, discrimination, racism, and sexual harassment. She also admitted that she was also abused in the past and that she filed a complaint against a male executive, who she says she thought was her friend, resulting in the executive getting fired.

It’s still unclear whether d’Hondt will remain with Bungie in some other capacity but she did state in her email that she will be working with Chief People Officer Holly Barbacovi and the company’s leadership team to determine the next steps in their continuing efforts to improve the working environment in the company.

“I am proud of the work I did at this company. I believe I made recommendations that were in the best interest of our people and in service of the company we wish to become. I also believe we made some mistakes, and that to become the better version of ourselves – the company I know we can be – we have to acknowledge and confront them, in good faith, and grow together,” she concluded.