EA Mandates Office Return, Halts Remote Hiring

Electronic Arts (EA) has recently informed its employees of a significant shift in its work policies, marking the end of its remote working arrangements and mandating a full return to office. In an email obtained by IGN, EA's CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration, 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." Wilson further outlined that the new "hybrid work" model requires employees to be present in their local office for a minimum of three days per week, and plans to phase out "offsite local roles" over time.

Laura Miele, EA Entertainment president, provided additional clarity on these changes in a subsequent email, describing the shift as moving from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." She detailed that:

• Employees should continue their current work arrangements as directed by their Business Unit until further notice.
• Transitions to the new work model will be communicated with a minimum 12-week notice period, with timing varying by location.
• Hybrid work will necessitate at least three days per week in the local office, aligning with Wilson's earlier communication.
• A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations will be introduced, affecting employees based on their proximity to these sites.
• Employees within the 30-mile radius will transition to a Hybrid work model, while those outside may remain remote unless 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 exceptions to the new work model and future Remote hires will need approval from a CEO Direct.

Anonymous sources within EA shared with IGN that the announcement has left many employees feeling upset and confused. Some highlighted the impracticality of newly imposed long commutes, while others raised concerns about childcare and personal health conditions that had been better managed through remote work. Additionally, remote employees outside the 30-mile radius expressed worries about their job security if they were unable or unwilling to relocate closer to an EA office.

Remote work, especially prevalent in the video game industry, saw a surge during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies, including AAA developers, adapted to remote work as a long-term solution, leading to increased hiring of remote workers and some employees relocating to more affordable areas under the belief that remote work was here to stay.

However, a trend of major video game companies calling workers back to the office has emerged, leading to frustration and, in some cases, employee turnover. Companies such as Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard have faced internal and external criticism over these policies. Despite this, the momentum towards returning to office-based work continues, with EA joining the ranks of companies making this shift.

This policy change comes on the heels of recent layoffs at EA, including around 300 employees company-wide, following earlier cuts at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles the previous year.

IGN has reached out to EA for further comment on these developments.