French Ubisoft Employees Encouraged to Strike Over Office Return Policy

A strike has been called for Ubisoft's French workforce in response to the company's decision to enforce a return to office policy. The French video game workers union, STJV, is behind the call to action, which follows Ubisoft's announcement that staff will be required to work from the office at least three days a week. The union claims this decision was made without consulting workers' representatives or providing a valid justification. Following more than five years of efficient remote work, many employees have adapted their personal and professional lives, and the union argues that a return to office would lead to job losses, project disruptions, and increased psychosocial risks. The strike, scheduled for October 15-17, 2024, is also a response to failed negotiations over profit sharing and salary increases, which the union found unacceptable. STJV is seeking a formal agreement on remote work and immediate salary increases to compensate for the decline in living standards over the past few years. This development comes as Ubisoft revises its financial forecasts, delays game releases, and launches an internal review to address recent challenges and improve its game release strategy, player engagement, and stakeholder benefits.