Activision’s Call of Duty quality assurance staff protests against return-to-office policy

The Activision staff for quality assurance who have also worked on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 protest against the company’s return-to-office policy. The protest was also supported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

The frustrations of the Black Ops 6 developers grew because the return to work policy impacted their remote work living accommodations.

Earlier in 2024, Activision opted to end the remote work for its employees’ quality assurance department with a strict return-to-office policy. The company demanded the team to come to Eden Prairie, Minnesota studio.

The move was considered as a “soft layoff” by the company’s largest union. Working from the office is especially difficult for employees with medical conditions and accessibility needs. The dispute regarding the matter reached the head past Friday, at the time of the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Activision’s employee advocacy group ABetterABK which is also backed by CWA stated last Friday that its return to office policy is “unequal” and unfair to the handicapped employees and those who need to work from home. CWA claimed that Activision even ignored the doctors’ recommendations for employees who are medically restricted and can only work remotely.

According to ABetterABK, the company’s constant ignorance for flexibility requests is creating a difficult work environment while also risking employees well being.

Activision internal email conflicts with the company’s stance on remote policy

The QA team was further triggered by a recent email by the company. The email was sent in the celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

The email showed the disabled individual in remote work. ABetterABK said that it is opposite to the company’s refusal for continuing remote work options for the employees with medical problems.

It was also highlighted that the same QA team was also part of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It is Activision’s most successful release developed in remote work entirely.

Activision did acknowledge that returning to office is “an adjustment for some” in a statement to Eurogamer. The spokesperson shared that the company is involved in the “interactive process” with the employees who asked for accommodations.

However, Activision has not yet reported any changes in the policy.