The Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union has initiated a petition aimed at safeguarding hybrid work arrangements, and the effort has already amassed more than three hundred signatures. According to a report from Game Developer, the campaign was launched by the Game Workers Unite Montreal (GWU) union on September 30, and the union announced the petition via its social media channels.
In the announcement, the union appealed directly to every employee at Ubisoft Montreal, urging them to add their name to the petition. It also asked supporters outside the studio to spread the word within their own networks, encouraging a broader base of sign‑ups.
The union’s strategy emphasized personal interaction: staff were invited to approach their colleagues during break periods and sign the document on the spot, a tactic that resulted in the majority of signatures being collected in person. The United Videogame Workers Union (UVW‑CWA) publicly endorsed the petition, praising the Montreal union for "leading the change in our collective struggle for dignified work and economic justice." UVW‑CWA highlighted that the "return‑to‑office" directive is just one of many policies imposed by management without consulting the very workers most affected.
The statement listed a range of impacted groups, including parents, employees with disabilities, staff who own homes beyond a reasonable commuting distance, individuals who relocated internationally to keep their jobs, and professionals who thrive in remote‑work environments. The union further warned that the company’s recent cost‑cutting measures and back‑tracking on previously negotiated agreements impose a human toll that should be held to account. By rolling back on commitments and demanding a full‑time office presence, Ubisoft’s leadership is, in the union’s view, placing profit considerations above the well‑being of its workforce.
Ubisoft’s own rationale for the shift dates back to the beginning of the year, when the studio restructured its development model into what it calls "Creative Houses." As part of that restructuring, the company instituted a return‑to‑office policy that requires all employees to be present in the office five days a week, while offering a limited annual allowance for work‑from‑home days. Senior Vice President of Studio Operations Marie‑Sophie de Waubert explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the goal is to "strengthen onsite collaboration and the collective dynamic across teams." She argued that face‑to‑face interaction is a vital driver of efficiency, creativity, and overall success in a highly competitive market. While acknowledging that hybrid models have their place, de Waubert stressed that in‑person collaboration remains a core enabler for the studio’s creative output.
De Waubert also indicated that the company intends to discuss the specifics of the new model with each country’s operations, allowing for some flexibility as the approach evolves. She framed the policy as a means to improve the quality of Ubisoft’s games and to foster team engagement within the newly formed Creative Houses. Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the company will continue to engage with employees, their representatives, and individual teams.
Duguet framed the policy shift as a strategic move to "boost collective performance for AAA titles," suggesting that the change is driven by a desire to enhance the studio’s competitive edge on a global scale. The tension between management’s office‑centric vision and employee preferences is not new at Ubisoft.
In February of this year, the studio experienced a three‑day international strike in response to the restructuring and the return‑to‑office mandate. At least 1,200 workers participated in the walkout, according to Marc Rutschlé, a representative of the Solidaires Informatique union at Ubisoft Paris, who confirmed the figures to GamesIndustry.biz. Ubisoft later reported that 528 staff members had officially logged themselves as being on strike in a separate statement. The current petition reflects a broader, ongoing debate within the video‑game industry about the future of work.
While some executives argue that physical proximity fuels spontaneous brainstorming and rapid problem‑solving, many workers cite the flexibility of remote or hybrid schedules as essential for work‑life balance, mental health, and accommodating personal circumstances. The Montreal union’s petition, now well beyond the 300‑signature milestone, seeks to preserve a hybrid option that would allow employees to split their time between the office and a remote setting, rather than being forced into a strict five‑day‑in‑office regime. Supporters of the petition argue that a hybrid model can still deliver the collaborative benefits highlighted by Ubisoft’s leadership while respecting the diverse needs of a global workforce.
They point to successful examples from other tech and creative companies that have adopted flexible schedules without sacrificing product quality. By gathering signatures and amplifying the message, the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union hopes to pressure corporate decision‑makers into reconsidering the rigidity of the current policy and to negotiate a more balanced approach that aligns with both business objectives and employee well‑being. The petition remains open, and the union continues to encourage both current Ubisoft staff and allies in the broader gaming community to add their names.
As the dialogue unfolds, the outcome could set a precedent for how large, multinational game studios navigate the evolving expectations around workplace flexibility in the post‑pandemic era.