EA Mandates Office Return, Halts Remote Hiring

Electronic Arts (EA) has informed its employees of a significant shift in its work policy, moving away from remote work to a mandatory return to office. In an email sent to staff today, which was viewed by IGN, 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 "hybrid work" would now require employees to be in the office at least three days a week, and plans to phase out "offsite local roles" are in place.

Further details were provided in a follow-up email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, who described the transition as a move towards "a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." Key points from her email include:

• Implementation Timeline: Changes will not be immediate. Employees should continue their current work arrangements until further notice. A minimum 12-week notice period will be given before any transitions are enforced, with the timing varying by location.
• Hybrid Work Definition: Employees must work from their local office at least three days per week. A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations has been introduced.
• Employee Impact: Those living within the 30-mile radius will transition to the hybrid model. Those outside this radius will remain remote unless their role is designated as On Site or Hybrid. The Offsite Local work model will be discontinued over a period of 3 to 24 months.
• Exceptions: Any exceptions to the work model and future remote hires will require approval from a CEO Direct.

Anonymous sources within EA told IGN that the announcement has caused upset and confusion among employees. Some are facing the prospect of long commutes, while others are concerned about childcare or personal health issues that had been managed better through remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile radius are worried about their job security if they cannot or will not relocate closer to an office.

Remote work has been a staple in the video game industry, especially since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to adopt it as a long-term solution. Many employees moved to more affordable areas under the assumption that remote work would be permanent. However, recent trends show other major companies like Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard also mandating returns to the office, leading to employee frustration and turnover.

EA's decision comes on the heels of recent layoffs, with approximately 300 positions cut company-wide, following earlier reductions at BioWare and the termination of around 670 roles last year.

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