EA Mandates Office Return, Halts Remote Hiring

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a significant shift in its work policies, ending its remote working arrangements and mandating a full return to office. In an email to employees, 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 the office a minimum of three days per week, and "offsite local roles" would be phased out over time.

Further details were provided in a follow-up email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, who described the shift as moving from a "decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." Key points from her communication include:

• The changes will not take effect immediately; employees should continue working as directed by their Business Unit until further notice.
• A minimum 12-week notice period will be provided before any changes are implemented, with timing varying by location.
• Hybrid work will require a minimum of three days per week in the local office, aligning with Wilson's earlier statement.
• A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations will be introduced. Employees within this radius will transition to the Hybrid work model, while those outside will remain remote unless their roles are designated as On Site or Hybrid.
• The Offsite Local work model will be sunset over a period of 3 to 24 months, depending on location.
• Any exceptions to the work model and future Remote hires will require approval from a CEO Direct.

Anonymous sources within EA told IGN that employees are upset and confused by these changes. Some are concerned about the long commutes they will now have to make, while others worry about childcare or personal medical conditions that benefited from remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile radius expressed concerns about their job security if they are unable or unwilling to relocate closer to an office.

Remote work became widely adopted in the video game industry, particularly during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and many workers moved to more affordable cities 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 office, leading to employee frustration and turnover.

This policy change comes after EA recently laid off around 300 employees company-wide, following earlier layoffs at BioWare and the termination of approximately 670 roles the previous year.

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