Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a significant shift in its work policy, ending its remote working arrangements and mandating a full return to office. In an email to employees, as reported by IGN, EA's CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the benefits of in-person work, stating 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 a minimum of three days a 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 transition as moving from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model." She specified that:
- Changes will not take effect immediately; employees should continue their current work arrangements until further notice.
- Transitions to the new work model will come with at least a 12-week notice period, with timing varying by location.
- Hybrid work will require at least three days a week in the local office, aligning with Wilson's EA Action.
- A new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations has been introduced.
- Employees within this radius will transition to the hybrid model, while those outside will remain remote unless their roles are designated as on-site or hybrid.
- The offsite local work model will be phased out over 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 the announcement left employees feeling upset and confused. Some highlighted the long commutes they would now face, while others expressed concerns about childcare and medical conditions that had been better managed through remote work. Remote employees outside the 30-mile radius voiced worries about their job security if they could not or would not relocate closer to an office.
Remote work became increasingly common in the video game industry during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with many AAA companies adopting it as a long-term solution. Over the years, the industry saw a rise in remote hires and some employees moved to more affordable areas away from offices, expecting remote work to continue indefinitely.
However, recent trends show other major video game companies, such as Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard, also calling their employees back to the office. This has led to frustration and, in some cases, employee turnover as workers faced the choice between relocation and their jobs. Despite criticism, the push towards returning to office settings continues, with EA now joining this trend.
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 further comment on these developments.
