Ubisoft Employees will Respond to CEO’s Visit with a Strike

Ubisoft, which has frequently been in the news recently regarding employee satisfaction, is now making headlines due to tensions in its Paris office. As relations between company management and employees become increasingly strained, decisions and actions taken have created significant unrest within the studio. The latest development suggests that this tension could escalate into an open protest.

Ubisoft Employees Preparing for Strike

The initial step that ignited the crisis at Ubisoft Paris was the rollback of the remote work model. The termination of the flexible work model implemented during the pandemic was met with widespread opposition from employees. The mandatory return to the office, in particular, has led to criticism that it disrupts work-life balance.

Another incident that heightened tensions was the alleged three-day suspension of an employee who publicly criticized the decision, resulting in a pay cut. This was interpreted by employees as “intimidation,” further deepening the trust issue between management and the teams. Reactions weren’t limited to individuals; unions also became involved.

The French unions’ reaction intensified when management brought up a voluntary layoff plan. According to the unions, this plan could result in approximately 200 people losing their jobs at the Paris studio. This possibility was the final straw in an already tense work environment.

Following all these developments, CEO Yves Guillemot’s planned visit to the studio was met with an open threat of protest. According to a union letter shared by Le Figaro, employees would leave their desks and gather in front of the building if Guillemot arrived. While Ubisoft has yet to issue an official statement, many employees and players see this reaction as a natural consequence of long-standing problems.

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