Ubisoft France Plans Three-Day Strike Over Controversial Return-to-Office Policy
September 26, 2024Ubisoft employees in France are planning to strike for three days, from October 15 to 17, 2024, in response to a controversial return-to-office policy.
This policy mandates that all 19,000 global employees work in the office three days a week, although the effective date remains unclear.
Critics, including the STJV union, argue that this decision lacks proper justification and was made without consulting workers' representatives.
Despite the push for more in-office work, Ubisoft has assured employees that it will not completely revert to an office-only model, acknowledging the benefits of hybrid work.
The shift back to in-office work poses challenges for employees who have adapted their lives around remote work over the past five years.
The STJV warns that the new policy could lead to job losses, project disorganization, and increased psychosocial risks for remaining employees.
This strike call comes amid Ubisoft's struggles, including disappointing sales of 'Star Wars Outlaws' and a delay of 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' to 2025.
Ubisoft has not publicly responded to the strike call, which follows a previous strike in February involving over 700 workers due to failed salary negotiations.
The union's demands include formal remote work agreements, restoration of profit-sharing, elimination of the gender pay gap, and increased salaries for low-wage employees.
Currently, about one-third of Ubisoft's team members are already working in the office three days per week, with teams averaging 50% of their time in the office.
The STJV union, which previously supported a strike at the Spiders studio, is leading this call for action, reflecting ongoing discontent among workers.
Ubisoft's stock has dropped approximately 60% since the beginning of the year, highlighting the company's financial challenges amid these labor disputes.
Summary based on 9 sources
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Sources
VentureBeat • Sep 17, 2024
Ubisoft will return to 3 days a week in officeGameSpot • Sep 26, 2024
Ubisoft Workers In France Urged To Strike Over Return-To-Office MandateGamesIndustry.biz • Sep 17, 2024
Ubisoft targets staff to be in the office at least three days a week