The Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union has initiated a petition aimed at safeguarding the hybrid work arrangement that many employees have come to rely on, and the campaign has already attracted more than three hundred signatures. The drive, which was first publicized on September 30, quickly gathered momentum after the union posted an announcement across its social media channels, urging all staff members at Ubisoft Montreal to add their names to the list and encouraging supporters outside the company to spread the word within their own networks. According to reporting from Game Developer, the union’s outreach strategy emphasized personal interaction: employees were asked to approach their colleagues during breaks and lunchtime to request signatures, a tactic that proved effective because the majority of the names were collected face‑to‑face rather than through an online form. This grassroots approach reflects a broader trend within the video‑game industry where workers are increasingly organizing around issues of workplace flexibility, work‑life balance, and the right to choose where they perform their duties.
The petition’s message resonated beyond Ubisoft’s own walls. The United Videogame Workers Union, operating under the umbrella of the Communications Workers of America (UVW‑CWA), publicly endorsed the initiative. In a statement, UVW‑CWA praised the Montreal union for "leading the change in our collective struggle for dignified work and economic justice," highlighting the petition as a concrete example of workers demanding a say in policies that directly affect their daily lives. UVW‑CWA’s commentary also underscored the broader implications of a mandatory return‑to‑office (RTO) policy.
The union pointed out that such directives are often rolled out without meaningful consultation with the very people they impact most: parents juggling childcare, employees with disabilities who may require accommodations, staff who have purchased homes far from the studio to enjoy a lower cost of living, expatriates who relocated internationally to keep their jobs, and professionals who have demonstrated higher productivity while working remotely. By imposing a strict five‑day‑in‑office schedule, Ubisoft’s leadership is, in the eyes of the union, ignoring a diverse set of legitimate needs and preferences.
The union further criticized what it described as "brutal cost‑cutting measures" and a perceived backtrack on previously negotiated agreements. It argued that corporate decisions aimed at trimming expenses should not come at the expense of employees’ well‑being, and that the human cost of such policies must be held accountable.
This sentiment echoes a growing chorus of labor voices across the tech and entertainment sectors, where workers are pushing back against top‑down mandates that they feel undermine the collaborative culture that has traditionally driven creative success. Ubisoft’s rationale for the RTO mandate is rooted in its recent organizational overhaul.
Earlier this year, the company announced a restructuring into so‑called "Creative Houses," a model intended to give individual studios greater autonomy while fostering tighter collaboration across disciplines. As part of this shift, Ubisoft instituted a policy requiring all staff to be present in the office five days a week, with a limited annual allowance for remote work days.
Senior Vice President of Studio Operations Marie‑Sophie de Waubert explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the move is intended to "strengthen onsite collaboration, the collective dynamic across teams." She emphasized that in‑person interaction, she believes, is a key driver of efficiency, creativity, and overall success in a highly competitive market. While acknowledging that flexibility will be discussed with various country offices over time, de Waubert framed the policy as essential for maintaining the quality of Ubisoft’s games and the creative output of its newly formed Creative Houses. Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet echoed this perspective, stating that the company will continue to engage with employees and their representatives to fine‑tune the approach. Duguet described the shift as a means of "boosting the collective performance for AAA titles," suggesting that the leadership views physical proximity as a lever for achieving higher production standards and meeting ambitious development timelines.
The tension surrounding Ubisoft’s RTO directive is not new. In February, the studio experienced a three‑day international strike in direct response to the restructuring and the return‑to‑office requirement.
Over 1,200 employees participated, according to union representative Marc Rutschlé of Solidaires Informatique, who confirmed the numbers to GamesIndustry.biz. Ubisoft later reported that 528 staff members had officially logged their strike participation in a separate statement, indicating a substantial portion of the workforce was willing to walk out in protest. The current petition can be seen as a continuation of that earlier activism, shifting the focus from outright work stoppages to a more targeted demand: the preservation of a hybrid work model that blends the benefits of face‑to‑face collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.
By gathering signatures, the Montreal union aims to demonstrate to Ubisoft’s senior management that a significant segment of the workforce values the ability to split their time between the office and home, and that this arrangement can coexist with the company’s goals for creative excellence. Industry observers note that Ubisoft’s stance reflects a broader dilemma facing many large studios: balancing the desire for spontaneous, in‑person brainstorming sessions with the reality that many employees have adapted to remote workflows that can increase productivity and reduce commuting stress.
As the gaming sector continues to evolve, the outcome of this petition could set a precedent for how other developers negotiate hybrid work policies, potentially influencing contract negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, and corporate culture across the industry. In summary, the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union’s petition has already amassed over three hundred signatures, signaling strong support for hybrid work among staff. Backed by the United Videogame Workers Union, the campaign highlights concerns about top‑down RTO policies, the need for inclusive decision‑making, and the importance of preserving flexible work options that accommodate a diverse workforce.
Ubisoft’s leadership has articulated a vision that prioritizes in‑office collaboration as a catalyst for creative success, yet the ongoing dialogue suggests that the final shape of the company’s work model will likely emerge from continued negotiation between management and organized labor.