Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 developers strike over office working policy

[Fenton]

Staff at Activision's quality assurance studio in Eden Prarie, Minnesota, were told to return to the office full-time back in January, after years of remote or hybrid working. At the time, the move was criticised by the company's biggest union as a "soft layoff". Nine months later, the row over this policy's effects rumbles on.

Last Friday, Eden Prarie staff members took strike action backed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which claimed in a statement that Call of Duty publisher Activision was "insisting workers must work in the office - even those with serious medical conditions and doctor's recommendations to work from home".


Ahead of the protest, Activision workers group ABetterABK issued a statement saying the "unequal policy" had "unquestionably harmed disabled employees and employees in need of work from home accomodations", who it claims have been unfairly refused exception from return-to-office work in the months since the policy's introduction.


ABetterABK's statement also references employees being "disrespected" by a recent company email discussing this October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

"[The email] depicted a disabled person working from home while our coworkers in need are not allowed this essential tool for equal accessibility," the statement claimed. "[Activison] has been championing DE&I while they continually fail us."

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 developers strike over office working policy

Activision quality assurance staff who worked on the just-released Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 have walked out in protest…

www.eurogamer.net

 

[KvallyX]

Go to work.

 

[Monkeyclaw]

Work from home was essential to keep business running during a pandemic.
Before that they all worked from office.

Now all of a sudden they think they have the right to work from home? Ok thank you and bye bye.
Spoiled brats.

 

[FatKaz]

Never working for a company that's wants me back full-time in the office unless it's an incredible job with amazing pay. Plenty of remote/hybrid jobs out there.

Alot of companies in tech and probably other industries are still hybrid in the uk where it is possible. And most have realised they can run more lean without having to run and maintain a massive office with everyone in it everyday.

 

[TrishaCat]

Never working in an office ever again
After Covid proved offices were unnecessary I will not ever work in one, and do not blame anyone who protests return to office policies. Good for them. May their strike succeed.

 

[TrishaCat]

Work from home was essential to keep business running during a pandemic.
Before that they all worked from office.

Now all of a sudden they think they have the right to work from home? Ok thank you and bye bye.
Spoiled brats.

Yes, actually
You think you can just show that an office and its commute are not necessary to successfully work and not expect backlash when you want everyone to return to commuting to an office?
Any work that *can* be done from home should not require being in an office. Office buildings should be reduced in number and zoning and building changes should take place to turn them into in-city housing.

Spoiled? They're the ones doing the work!

 

[KvallyX]

You think you can just show that an office and its commute are not necessary to successfully work and not expect backlash when you want everyone to return to commuting to an office?

When were people told that the pandemic was going to make working out of home permanent, and nobody would be required to return?

If someone takes a job, and said job says you get paid X amount and you work at X location, that is a choice YOU made to accept those requirements. If the work place enforces their rules that you chose to accept when taking the job and YOU choose to not like it later on, well then, BYE.

We have removed ALL work from home privileges here since the pandemic ended. Everyone is back, and everyone is working TOGETHER again. I wouldn't have it any other way.

NOW, if someone took a job and was looking for a hybrid or remote position and took it, and then a company said they want people to no longer work remotely/hybrid, then I can see the backlash.

 

[TrishaCat]

When were people told that the pandemic was going to make working out of home permanent, and nobody would be required to return?

If someone takes a job, and said job says you get paid X amount and you work at X location, that is a choice YOU made to accept those requirements. If the work place enforces their rules that you chose to accept when taking the job and YOU choose to not like it later on, well then, BYE.

We have removed ALL work from home privileges here since the pandemic ended. Everyone is back, and everyone is working TOGETHER again. I wouldn't have it any other way.

NOW, if someone took a job and was looking for a hybrid or remote position and took it, and then a company said they want people to no longer work remotely/hybrid, then I can see the backlash.

I used to be a hybrid worker. I decided I wanted to move. I told my boss when I moved that if I couldn't work fully remote I would leave the company. I now work fully remote because they could not afford to lose me. Workers control the rules, and unions ensure workers have enough power and leeway that companies can't as easily do away with a few people acting against their interests.
No, generally speaking, remote work was not promised to be permanent. But the moment you show that the same work done in an office can be done at home, you show that that office is unnecessary, and workers, the people actually producing the things the company needs, must capitulate to worker desires, or perish as a company. The agreements made with companies change. You think someone working a couple years at a company is making the same pay they made when they first joined? Nay, their pay generally increases because the terms of the agreement change.
Commuting wastes time and is expensive. Offices can make getting lunches and dinners more expensive, and destroy privacy.

Don't understand this desire to shill for corporate overlords. They don't care about you. They only want money.

This feels similar to complaining about someone asking for a raise. Why ask for a raise? You agreed to the lower pay!

 

[quest4441]

Bah lazy bums with their entitlement, this is why when these losers get laid off or when AI takes their jobs I have no sympathy at all. Most of them are anyways graduates from tier 2 and 3 colleges and more of a burden many times.

 

[Entropi]

Yes, actually
You think you can just show that an office and its commute are not necessary to successfully work and not expect backlash when you want everyone to return to commuting to an office?
Any work that *can* be done from home should not require being in an office. Office buildings should be reduced in number and zoning and building changes should take place to turn them into in-city housing.

Spoiled? They're the ones doing the work!

I’m fully remote, while my wife is hybrid. She is significantly more productive when at home, avoiding the 2-3 hour traffic commute and having more energy to work more. It’s so obvious, yet some people refuse to understand that not everyone should waste time commuting to an office when there is no value in it. But hey, the CEO’s real state buddies need those workers in offices to make more money.

 

[TrishaCat]

I’m fully remote, while my wife is hybrid. She is significantly more productive when at home, avoiding the 2-3 hour traffic commute and having more energy to work more. It’s so obvious, yet some people refuse to understand that not everyone should waste time commuting to an office when there is no value in it. But hey, the CEO’s real state buddies need those workers in offices to make more money.

nah man we need people to spend a chunk of their paycheck each week on gas money to keep them poor

 

[KvallyX]

I used to be a hybrid worker. I decided I wanted to move. I told my boss when I moved that if I couldn't work fully remote I would leave the company. I now work fully remote because they could not afford to lose me.

Well, it's good that your employer is flexible, nothing wrong with that.

Workers control the rules, and unions ensure workers have enough power and leeway that companies can't as easily do away with a few people acting against their interests.

Unions need to be abolished, and workers absolutely should not control the rules. Workers should abide by the rules that were given to them when they applied and accepted the position.

No, generally speaking, remote work was not promised to be permanent.

To me, that is the important part of the equation.

Commuting wastes time and is expensive. Offices can make getting lunches and dinners more expensive, and destroy privacy.

I bring lunches that I make at home and leftovers. If commuting is an issue, think twice before applying for a job out of your commute (or budget) range. Or look for a job that is remote/hybrid.

Don't understand this desire to shill for corporate overlords. They don't care about you. They only want money.

I don't care about corporations. I care about following the rules that were set forth when I applied for the job.

 

[FatKaz]

I’m fully remote, while my wife is hybrid. She is significantly more productive when at home, avoiding the 2-3 hour traffic commute and having more energy to work more. It’s so obvious, yet some people refuse to understand that not everyone should waste time commuting to an office when there is no value in it. But hey, the CEO’s real state buddies need those workers in offices to make more money.

Honestly i have no idea why anyone who isn't someone benefitting monetarily because of leasing out offices is wanting this.

Like what the fuck are you even cheering for?

And yeah your completely right about having more energy in the morning due to not having to commute, i use to commute 1 hour each way and getting that 2 hour of my day back is huge.

 

[Entropi]

Unions need to be abolished, and workers absolutely should not control the rules. Workers should abide by the rules that were given to them when they applied and accepted the position.

Nice try, Jeff Bezos. Now let your workers take bathroom breaks and don’t be a dick.

 

[Entropi]

Honestly i have no idea why anyone who isn't someone benefitting monetarily because of leasing out offices is wanting this.

Like what the fuck are you even cheering for?

And yeah your completely right about having more energy in the morning due to not having to commute, i use to commute 1 hour each way and getting that 2 hour of my day back is huge.

There are many working bees out there. These people want everyone to shut up, keep their heads down, never speak for themselves, and do what their corporate overlord commands. They really think some rich asshole and their clique wants what’s best for them. There’s no fighting spirit in them.

 

[Monkeyclaw]

Yes, actually
You think you can just show that an office and its commute are not necessary to successfully work and not expect backlash when you want everyone to return to commuting to an office?
Any work that *can* be done from home should not require being in an office. Office buildings should be reduced in number and zoning and building changes should take place to turn them into in-city housing.

Spoiled? They're the ones doing the work!

What does their contract say I wonder. If its not legally documented then tough shit.

And no. I totally disagree on the things that can be done from home. What's next, attend a fucking birthday party through Zoom just because you can?
I also work hard for my money but I dont demand working from home even though my work can be done remotely.

So yes. Fucking spoiled and entitled. Anything else?

 

[Monkeyclaw]

Well, it's good that your employer is flexible, nothing wrong with that.



Unions need to be abolished, and workers absolutely should not control the rules. Workers should abide by the rules that were given to them when they applied and accepted the position.



To me, that is the important part of the equation.



I bring lunches that I make at home and leftovers. If commuting is an issue, think twice before applying for a job out of your commute (or budget) range. Or look for a job that is remote/hybrid.



I don't care about corporations. I care about following the rules that were set forth when I applied for the job.

Someone with a functioning brain. Thank fuck for that!

 

[Monkeyclaw]

nah man we need people to spend a chunk of their paycheck each week on gas money to keep them poor

You ever heard of commute expenses? 9/10 companies pay for that. So piss off with this non-argument.
People knew what they literally signed up for. Anything you bring up here is irrelevent since people accepted all of that when signing their damn contracts.

Anything that's not documented there is not theirs to claim. Just because they feel wronged doesn't mean they're right in saying so. BIG difference.

 

[quest4441]

There are many working bees out there. These people want everyone to shut up, keep their heads down, never speak for themselves, and do what their corporate overlord commands. They really think some rich asshole and their clique wants what’s best for them. There’s no fighting spirit in them.

Or you know some people like working in an office, no need to get your anti social panties in a bunch. There is no better solution than hopping over to your coworkers cabin to quickly discuss a problem or a solution while writing code. Its hilarious that going to office is considered speaking/fighting spirit for oneself, maybe keep that energy for negotiating raises instead

 

[TrishaCat]

What does their contract say I wonder. If its not legally documented then tough shit.

Your contract changes over time. Pay raises are a common change, usually done yearly.
Furthermore, there is a power imbalance between you and the corporation. The corporation has all the money and controls whether you have a job. This power imbalance makes negotiating difficult, allowing for workers to be pushed into agreeing to things they don't really want. A lotta people work jobs they don't want because they *have* to. Power should be given to the worker to ensure a more healthy balance so the worker can more easily negotiate. What was negotiated at the onset of being hired is irrelevant after like, a year of working.

You ever heard of commute expenses? 9/10 companies pay for that. So piss off with this non-argument.

weird i had to pay for all my own uber rides to work (don't own a car) prior to my switch from hybrid to fully remote.
they wouldn't pay me for the $90 the monthly bus & subway passes cost either
They also wouldn't pay me for the lunches I bought at nearby restaurants because I didn't have time to make the food at home as my time is spent commuting

There is no better solution than hopping over to your coworkers cabin to quickly discuss a problem or a solution while writing code

I just send them a Slack message and get the same results