Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a significant shift in its work policy, moving away from remote work to a full return to office environment. In an email sent to employees, which was viewed by IGN, CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the benefits 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 outlined that the new "hybrid work" model would require employees to be in their local office a minimum of three days per week, and that "offsite local roles" would be phased out over time.
Further details were provided in a follow-up email from EA Entertainment president, Laura Miele, also seen by IGN. She described the company's transition from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." Key points from her email include:
- 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, with timing varying by location and communicated locally.
- Hybrid work will require employees to work from their local office at least three days per week, aligning with CEO Andrew Wilson's EA Action plan.
- A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations will be introduced. Employees within this radius will transition to a Hybrid work model, while those outside 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 of 3 to 24 months, depending on location.
- Any work model exceptions and future Remote hires will require approval from a CEO Direct.
Several sources within EA, speaking anonymously to IGN, expressed that employees were upset and confused by the announcement. Some highlighted the challenges of long commutes, while others raised concerns about childcare and personal medical conditions that had been better managed with remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile radius expressed worries about their job security if they were unable or unwilling to relocate closer to an office.
Remote work has been a common practice in the video game industry, especially since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many AAA companies to adopt remote work as a long-term solution. Over the years, the industry saw an increase in remote hires and existing employees moving to more affordable cities, under the assumption that remote work would continue indefinitely.
However, recent trends show a reversal, with major video game companies like Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard mandating a return to office, leading to employee frustration and turnover. EA's decision to follow suit reflects a broader industry shift back to in-office work.
This announcement comes on the heels of EA's recent layoffs, which affected around 300 individuals company-wide, following earlier layoffs at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles last year.
IGN has reached out to EA for comment on these developments.
