Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a significant shift in its work policy, moving away from remote work and mandating a return to office. In an email to employees, CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the benefits 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." He outlined that the new "hybrid work" model requires employees to be in the office at least three days a week, and "offsite local roles" will be phased out over time.
Laura Miele, EA Entertainment president, provided further details in a follow-up email, describing the transition to a "globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." Key points from her communication include:
- Changes will not take effect immediately; employees should continue their current work arrangements until further notice.
- A minimum 12-week notice period will be provided before any changes are implemented, with the timing varying by location.
- Hybrid work requires at least three days a week in the local office.
- A 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations will determine work model eligibility.
- Employees within this radius will transition to the hybrid model, while those outside will remain remote unless designated otherwise.
- The Offsite Local work model will be phased out over 3 to 24 months.
- Any exceptions to the new work model and future remote hires will require approval from a CEO Direct.
Anonymous sources within EA expressed frustration and confusion to IGN. Some employees are concerned about the feasibility of long commutes, while others worry about childcare and medical conditions that were better managed with remote work. Remote workers outside the 30-mile radius are anxious about the potential requirement to relocate closer to an office.
Remote work became widespread in the video game industry, especially during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and many companies had continued to embrace it post-crisis. However, recent trends show major companies like Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard also mandating returns to the office, often leading to employee dissatisfaction and turnover.
This policy change comes on the heels of EA's recent layoffs, which affected around 300 employees company-wide, following earlier cuts at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles last year.
IGN has reached out to EA for comment on these developments.
