Electronic Arts (EA) has recently informed its employees that it will be ending its remote working policies permanently and is moving towards a full return to office environment. In an email to staff, CEO Andrew Wilson highlighted the benefits of in-person work, stating that it creates "a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection, often resulting in unexpected breakthroughs that lead to incredible experiences for our players." He defined "hybrid work" as requiring a "minimum of three days a week in your local office," and mentioned that "offsite local roles" would be gradually phased out.
Further details were provided in a follow-up email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, who described the shift as moving from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model":
- These changes will not take effect immediately. Employees should continue working as directed by their Business Unit until further notice, regardless of their location.
- Work model transitions will come with a minimum 12-week notice period before any changes are implemented. The timing will vary by location and will be communicated locally with ample notice.
- Hybrid work will mean working from your local office at least three days per week, aligning with the policy outlined in Andrew Wilson’s EA Action. A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations will be introduced.
- Employees who live within 30 miles/48 km of an EA location will transition to a Hybrid work model. Those living outside this radius will be considered remote unless their role is designated as On Site or Hybrid.
- The Offsite Local work model will be phased out over a period that may take between 3 to 24 months, depending on the location.
- Any work model exceptions and future Remote hires will require approval from a CEO Direct.
According to anonymous sources within EA speaking to IGN, the announcement has left many employees feeling upset and confused. Some are facing the prospect of hours-long commutes, while others are worried about the impact on childcare or personal medical conditions that had benefited from remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile range are concerned about their roles if they are unwilling or unable to relocate closer to an office. Per the breakdown provided by Miele, existing remote workers' "exemptions" to return to the office are set to "sunset" within the next 3 to 24 months.
Remote work became increasingly prevalent in the video game industry, particularly during and after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, when stay-at-home mandates forced many AAA companies to adopt remote work as a long-term solution. Over time, many companies hired more remote workers, and some employees moved to more affordable cities, believing that remote work would be a permanent fixture.
However, the trend is shifting as other major video game companies such as Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard have also been calling workers back to the office. This shift has led to frustration and, in some cases, employee turnover as workers face the choice between relocating or leaving their jobs. Despite criticism, the return to office mandates continue to gain momentum, with EA being the latest to enforce an in-office model.
This announcement comes on the heels of recent layoffs at EA, which saw around 300 individuals let go company-wide, following earlier layoffs at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles last year.
IGN has reached out to EA for further comment on these developments.
