EA will return to the office completely to effectively end remote recruitment

Electronic Arts has announced to employees that it will permanently terminate its remote work policy and implement all return.

CEO Andrew Wilson said in an email to employees today that in-person work leads to “energy that promotes creativity, innovation, and connection, often leading to unexpected breakthroughs that lead to an incredible experience for our players.” He then went on to outline “hybrid work” will now be defined as “at your local office at least three days a week” and “local roles” will gradually phase out.

In a follow-up email to IGN's EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, she clarified more details, saying the company moved from a “decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model”:

• These changes will not take effect immediately. Employees should continue to work as directed by your business unit until further notice, regardless of where you reside.
• The work model transition will have a notification period of at least 12 weeks before any changes are implemented. Schedule will vary by location and will be informed locally.
• Mixed work will mean working at a local office at least three days a week, consistent with the overview in Andrew's EA Action.
• We are introducing a new 30 mile/48 km radius at the EA location.
• This means:
  • Employees living within 30 miles/48 km of EA will transition to a hybrid work model.
  • Unless their role is designated as on-site or hybrid, employees living outside a radius of 30 miles/48 km will be considered remote.
• We will also be working on the local mode of sunset. Depending on your location, this transition can take between 3 and 24 months.
• Any work model exceptions and future remote hiring will require CEO Direct/my approval.

Several sources in the EA who spoke anonymously with Ign said employees were upset and confused, with some sharing the hours of commute they are now expected to make or expressed concerns about parenting or personal medical conditions that benefit from remote work. Others are classified as far apart 30 miles, expressing concern about their characters who are reluctant or unable to get close to the office for a long time. Two IGN sources explained that according to the crash sent by Miele, existing remote workers will have their “waives” to return to the office at some point in the next 3 to 24 months.

Although it has long been common in the video game industry, it became unusually popular during and after the 2020 Covid-19-19 pandemic, when the authorization of residence forced most AAA companies to work remotely as a long-term solution. In the years since, more companies have hired more and more remote workers, and existing close relatives have reported moving to cheaper cities away from offices under the impression that remote work is permanent.

However, other major video game companies recently called workers back to their offices, resulting in frustration, sometimes as workers are forced to choose between expensive or challenging relocations and their jobs. Such as Rock Star Game,,,,, Ubisand Activity snowstorm Because of these policies, they all face internal and none of criticism. However, the task of returning to the office seems to have moved, and more and more companies choose to need office models again.

EA Recently About 300 people across the companythe following Early layoffs at BioWare this year and About 670 roles were terminated last year.

IGN has contacted EA for comment.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior journalist at IGN. You can find her post on bluesky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Is there a story tip? Send it to [email protected].