EA Ends Remote Work, Plans Full Office Return Over Next Two Years
Electronic Arts has announced it will end its remote work policies, pushing employees back to the office over the next 3 to 24 months. The decision, revealed in an internal email from CEO Andrew Wilson, has sparked frustration among staff, many of whom had structured their lives around long-term remote work.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EA—like much of the gaming industry—shifted to a fully remote model. Many employees relocated to more affordable areas, assuming remote work would remain the standard. Now, the company is reversing course, citing goals to boost “creativity, innovation, and connection.”
The return will begin with hybrid roles, requiring at least three days in the office each week. Employees within 30 miles of an EA office will be expected to transition to this model, while others will remain remote unless their role demands on-site presence. Off-site local roles will eventually be phased out.
EA Entertainment president Laura Miele added that no changes will happen immediately, and staff will receive at least 12 weeks’ notice before any transitions. Still, the move comes shortly after recent layoffs, leaving many employees upset and uncertain about their future.
EA now joins other major studios, like Activision Blizzard, in pushing for a broader return to traditional office work as the industry adjusts to post-pandemic norms.
