EA Mandates Office Return, Halts Remote Hiring

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced to its employees that it will be permanently ending its remote working policies and implementing a full return to office. In an email sent to employees today, 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 "hybrid work" will now require a "minimum of three days a week in your local office," and that "offsite local roles" will be gradually phased out.

In a follow-up email, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele provided further details on the transition, describing the shift from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." Key points from Miele's email include:

• Changes will not take effect immediately. Employees should continue working as directed by their Business Unit until further notice.
• Work model transitions will come with a minimum 12-week notice period before any changes are implemented, with timing varying by location.
• Hybrid work will require working from the local office at least three days per week, aligning with 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 it 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 long commutes they would now face, 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 worry about their roles if they were unable or unwilling to relocate closer to an office.

Remote work has been increasingly common in the video game industry, particularly since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, when stay-at-home mandates led many AAA companies to adopt remote work as a long-term solution. Many employees have since moved to more affordable cities away from office locations, under the assumption that remote work would be permanent.

However, several major video game companies, including Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard, have recently mandated returns to office, leading to employee frustration and turnover. These policies have drawn criticism both internally and externally, yet the trend of requiring in-office work continues, with EA now joining the ranks of companies enforcing such mandates.

This announcement follows recent layoffs at EA, which saw around 300 employees let go company-wide, in addition to earlier layoffs at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles last year.

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