Electronic Arts (EA) has announced to its employees that it will be permanently ending its remote working policies, mandating a full return to office. In an email sent to employees, viewed by IGN, CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the value of in-person work, stating that it 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 defined "hybrid work" as requiring a "minimum of three days a week in your local office," and announced the gradual phasing out of "offsite local roles."
Laura Miele, EA Entertainment president, provided additional details in a follow-up email, also seen by IGN. She described the company's shift from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model":
- Implementation Timeline: Changes will not take effect immediately. Employees are to continue working as directed by their Business Unit until further notice, regardless of their location. Work model transitions will be announced with at least a 12-week notice period, with timings varying by location.
- Hybrid Work Definition: Hybrid work will require employees to work from their local office at least three days per week. A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations will be introduced.
- Employee Impact: Employees within the 30-mile/48-km radius of an EA office will transition to the Hybrid work model. Those outside this radius will be classified as remote unless their role is designated as On Site or Hybrid. The Offsite Local work model will be phased out over a period of 3 to 24 months.
- Exceptions and Future Hires: Any exceptions to the work model and future remote hires will require approval from a CEO Direct.
Several anonymous EA sources speaking to IGN reported that employees were upset and confused by the announcement. Concerns included long commutes, childcare issues, and personal medical conditions that had previously benefited from remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile range expressed worries about their job security if they were unable or unwilling to relocate closer to an office.
Remote work has been a significant part of the video game industry, particularly since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when many AAA companies adopted remote work as a long-term solution. The trend towards remote work led many employees to move to more affordable cities, under the assumption that remote work would be permanent.
However, other major video game companies, including Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard, have recently mandated returns to office, sparking frustration and employee turnover. EA's decision to revert to an in-office model aligns with this industry trend.
EA has also recently laid off around 300 employees company-wide, following earlier layoffs at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles the previous year.
IGN has reached out to EA for comment on these developments.
