Activision QA Workers Protest New Office Mandate, Calling It a 'Soft Layoff'
Today, the ABK Workers Alliance published a statement opposing a recent return-to-office mandate that is impacting hundreds of Activision quality assurance (QA) workers. While the company has been allowing hybrid work situations up to this point, the group says that on November 30, QA workers in Minneapolis, Austin, and El Segundo working primarily on Call of Duty were told they must fully return to office five days per week beginning in late January. Activision is offering severance to those who depart from the company as a result of this mandate.
On November 30th, Activision QA employees in Minneapolis, Austin, and El Segundo received an email announcing that hybrid work will be ended in January for QA employees.
Below is our statement regarding this decision. pic.twitter.com/UKyRH2BggH
IGN has viewed the text of an email sent to impacted IGN QA workers about the change, which says the move to full-time office work came after Activision "found that our Central QA team is much more effective on in-office workdays than on remote workdays. Much of this is attributable to commercial broadband speeds, in-person team engagement leading to faster alignment, and better access to hardware in the office."
The message continues by noting that the change "may not align with everyone's personal and professional goals," and offers a one-time separation package of a minimum of 12 weeks pay, 2023 bonus, 12 months of healthcare, and unused vacation time payout to anyone who voluntarily separates due to the mandate. It concludes by stating that there are "no current plans" for other similar changes elsewhere in the organization.
When asked for comment, an Activision spokesperson offered the following statement regarding return to office,
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