The Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union has initiated a petition aimed at preserving the hybrid work arrangement that has quickly amassed more than 300 signatures from staff and supporters alike. According to reporting by Game Developer, the campaign was launched on September 30 by the Game Workers Unite Montreal (GWU) union, which announced the effort across its social‑media channels and called on every Ubisoft Montreal employee to add their name to the list.
The petition’s message is straightforward: all Ubisoft Montreal workers are invited to sign, and anyone who backs the cause is encouraged to spread the word within their personal and professional networks. Union organizers have been particularly proactive in facilitating in‑person sign‑ups, urging employees to meet their colleagues during break periods to collect signatures. This approach has proven effective, as the majority of the endorsements have been gathered face‑to‑face rather than through digital means. Support for the initiative has also come from the United Videogame Workers Union (UVW‑CWA), which publicly endorsed the petition.
In its statement, UVW‑CWA praised the Ubisoft Montreal union for "leading the change in our collective struggle for dignified work and economic justice." The broader union highlighted how return‑to‑office policies are often imposed without meaningful input from the very workers they affect. It pointed out that such mandates can disadvantage a wide spectrum of employees, including parents, individuals with disabilities, staff who own homes beyond a reasonable commuting distance, expatriates who relocated internationally to keep their jobs, and those who simply thrive in a remote‑working environment. The UVW‑CWA further warned that when corporate leadership adopts harsh cost‑cutting measures and reneges on previously negotiated agreements, they must be held accountable for the human toll those decisions exact.
The union’s critique underscores a growing tension within the video‑game industry, where companies are balancing the push for higher productivity and creative output against the well‑being and preferences of their workforce. Ubisoft’s own stance on the matter stems from a broader restructuring effort that began earlier in the year.
The company introduced a “Creative Houses” model, which was accompanied by a return‑to‑office directive requiring all staff to be present in the office five days a week. While the policy does allow for a limited number of work‑from‑home days each year, the overall emphasis is on bringing teams back together under one roof. Marie‑Sophie de Waubert, senior vice‑president of studio operations, explained the rationale behind the policy in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. She said the goal is to "strengthen onsite collaboration, the collective dynamic across teams," and emphasized that in‑person interaction is a key driver of efficiency, creativity, and overall success in a highly competitive market.
De Waubert acknowledged that hybrid work is one of several tools the studio can use, but she framed it as a particularly important one for fostering the kind of teamwork that leads to high‑quality game development. She also indicated that Ubisoft plans to engage in discussions with its various international locations to determine how the new model will be implemented locally, noting that flexibility will be considered. Nonetheless, the overarching objective, according to de Waubert, is to enhance the quality of the studio’s games and the creativity of its teams, thereby reconnecting the Creative Houses with both commercial success and employee engagement.
Chief financial officer Frederick Duguet echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the company will continue to consult with employees, their representatives, and individual teams about the evolving work arrangement. Duguet framed the shift as a strategic move to "boost collective performance for AAA titles," suggesting that the return‑to‑office policy is intended to support the ambitious production schedules and high standards associated with blockbuster games. The current petition follows a series of labor actions at Ubisoft earlier this year.
In February, a three‑day international strike was organized in response to the Creative Houses restructuring and the accompanying return‑to‑office mandate. The strike saw participation from at least 1,200 employees across multiple Ubisoft locations, according to Marc Rutschlé, a representative of the Solidaires Informatique union at Ubisoft Paris. Ubisoft later confirmed that 528 staff members had formally reported themselves as being on strike during that period. The ongoing debate over hybrid versus fully onsite work reflects broader industry trends, as game developers worldwide grapple with how to balance creative collaboration with the flexibility that many workers have come to expect after years of remote work during the pandemic.
While Ubisoft’s leadership argues that physical proximity fuels innovation and efficiency, unions and employee groups contend that a one‑size‑fits‑all mandate overlooks the diverse needs of a global workforce. As the petition continues to gather signatures, both sides remain locked in a dialogue about the future of work at Ubisoft Montreal. The union hopes that the growing list of supporters will pressure management to reconsider the rigid return‑to‑office schedule and adopt a more adaptable hybrid model that respects the varied circumstances of its employees.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft maintains that its policy is designed to nurture the collaborative environment it believes is essential for producing world‑class games. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how other studios within the industry approach work‑place flexibility, especially as the sector continues to evolve in the post‑pandemic era.
For now, the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union remains committed to its campaign, urging colleagues to sign the petition and urging the broader community to amplify their voices in defense of hybrid work options.