Electronic Arts has announced to its employees that it will be permanently ending its remote working policies and implementing a full return to the office.
In an email sent to employees today, which was viewed by IGN, CEO Andrew Wilson stated that in-person work fosters "a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection, often resulting in unexpected breakthroughs that lead to incredible experiences for our players." He further clarified that "hybrid work" would now require a "minimum of three days a week in your local office," and that "offsite local roles" would be phased out gradually.
In a subsequent email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, also viewed by IGN, she provided more details on the company's shift 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 your Business Unit until further notice, regardless of where you live.
- 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 require working from your local office at least three days per week–this aligns with what’s outlined in Andrew’s EA Action. We are introducing a new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations.
- What this means:
- Employees who live within 30 miles/48 km of an EA location will transition to a Hybrid work model.
- Employees who live outside the 30-mile/48-km radius will be considered remote unless their role is designated as On Site or Hybrid.
- We will also phase out the Offsite Local work model. Depending on your location, this transition may take 3 to 24 months.
- Any work model exception and future Remote hires will require a CEO Direct's approval.*
Several sources within EA, speaking to IGN anonymously, expressed that employees were upset and confused. Some highlighted the long commutes they would now face, while others raised concerns about childcare and personal medical conditions that had been better managed with remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile range expressed worries about the future of their roles if they were unable or unwilling to relocate closer to an office in the long term. According to two sources, per the breakdown sent by Miele, existing remote workers would see their "exemptions" to return to the office "sunset" within the next 3 to 24 months.
Remote work has been widely adopted in the video game industry, especially during and after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, when stay-at-home mandates forced most AAA companies to implement remote work as a long-term solution. Since then, many companies have continued hiring remote workers, and some near-office employees have moved to more affordable cities, under the belief that remote work would be permanent.
However, recent trends show other major video game companies, such as Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard, calling workers back to the office, which has led to frustration and, in some cases, employee turnover. Employees have had to choose between costly or difficult relocation and keeping their jobs. Despite criticism, the return-to-office mandates continue to gain momentum, with companies like EA now opting to enforce an in-office model again.
EA recently laid off around 300 employees company-wide, following earlier layoffs at BioWare this year and the termination of approximately 670 roles last year.
IGN has reached out to EA for comment.
