EA Orders Full Return to Office, Nixes Remote Hiring Plans

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a significant shift in its workplace policy, moving towards a full return to the office structure and ending its remote work options permanently. In an email to employees, CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration for fostering creativity and innovation. The new hybrid model will require employees living within a 30-mile radius of an office to work at least three days a week in person. As a result, many remote workers face uncertainties regarding their roles and the transition period, which could take between 12 to 24 months. The move comes as part of a broader trend in the video game industry, where several companies are pushing for a return to office models following the popularity of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. EA recently conducted layoffs, raising further concerns about job security among its employees.

EA is transitioning to a hybrid work model requiring employees to work at least three days per week in the office, with the goal of fostering a collaborative work environment. Remote work options will effectively be phased out for those within a 30-mile radius of the office.

The shift to in-office work at EA aligns with similar policies from other major gaming companies, which have faced backlash while re-evaluating their remote work structures. The COVID-19 pandemic led many gaming firms to adopt flexible working arrangements, but now, companies like EA, Rockstar Games, and Ubisoft are emphasizing the benefits of in-person collaboration and creativity, resulting in significant changes for employees who had become accustomed to remote work settings.