Crunchyroll Whistleblower Reveals Toxic Work Environment and Discrimination Allegations

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A previous employee of Crunchyroll, Shawn Hoffman (Senior Software Engineer), has publicly claimed that the anime streaming service fostered a harmful work environment and offered him monetary compensation for keeping quiet after his dismissal. In a post on LinkedIn, Hoffman shared his struggles during what he calls his “toughest year.” This is the latest in a string of accusations against the company, from their tech staff to voice actors, with Hoffman’s narrative still developing.

The opening statement was, “I poured my heart and soul into Crunchyroll.” This was during a period when I was battling one of the toughest struggles in my life – my mother’s terminal cancer. Hoffman sought understanding and assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act due to his escalating stress, depression, and anxiety, which eventually resulted in a diagnosis of anxiety and depressive disorder. However, Shawn Hoffman claims that his request for consideration was met with unfavorable treatment from senior staff, with the HR department seemingly unwilling to intervene.

Shawn Hoffman “Experienced Hostility” From Senior Crunchyroll Staff

In the post, it’s stated that “A person who isn’t my supervisor used profane language towards me and made an offensive gesture while we were talking at work. I recorded the event and informed HR about it. However, instead of addressing the issue appropriately, I started noticing changes in the way I was treated – initially subtle, later becoming more obvious.

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According to Shawn Hoffman, he voiced worries about fair treatment at work, maintaining professional standards, and ensuring respect among colleagues. Soon after expressing these concerns, he was let go from his position under the pretext of a policy infringement. Subsequently, he claimed that he was presented with a severance package in return for keeping quiet about the matter.

It’s unfortunate that this isn’t the initial case of an ex-Crunchyroll worker alleging a toxic work environment. Previously, voice actor David Wald (known for his roles in Fairy Tail and Vinland Saga) parted ways from multiple ongoing shows on Crunchyroll due to alleged mistreatment. In a social media post last November, he stated “Their wrongdoings are too extensive to enumerate here.

Shawn Hoffman Files Official Complaint for “Discrimination” Against Crunchyroll

In a more recent LinkedIn post, Shawn Hoffman expressed gratitude towards those who reached out after his initial statement. He acknowledged the abundance of support he’s received since speaking up about how Crunchyroll managed his case. Hoffman appealed to his supporters, asking them not to retaliate against Crunchyroll employees online. He clarified that he is not advocating for harassment of anyone involved in the situation. Instead, he emphasized the importance of workplace accountability over directing hostility.

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Afterward, Hoffman made it clear that he had lodged a formal grievance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Crunchyroll, citing instances of retaliation and disability discrimination. According to Hoffman, the vice president of Human Resources at Crunchyroll sent him aggressive emails, asserting that his claims were invalid and instructing him to either delete or modify his statements to align with their version of events.

Besides Shawn Hoffman, other ex-Crunchyroll staff members who encountered comparable treatment at the company have also reached out to him. “Since voicing his concerns,” he added, “a number of both current and previous Crunchyroll workers have stepped forward to share their personal stories. Some have experienced similar mistreatment, while others have witnessed these behaviors unfold firsthand.

Crunchyroll has yet to issue an official statement about the situation.

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2025-02-11 19:43