Tag: Yves Guillemot

  • 1,200 Ubisoft Employees Protest Cost-Cutting Measures

    1,200 Ubisoft Employees Protest Cost-Cutting Measures

    Key Takeaways

    1. Around 1,200 Ubisoft workers participated in a strike from February 10 to 12, 2026, across various locations, including studios in France and Milan.
    2. The strike was triggered by Ubisoft’s announcement of cost-cutting measures, including studio closures, project cancellations, and layoffs.
    3. The union criticized these actions as “absurd” and condemned CEO Yves Guillemot’s leadership, particularly in response to a reinstated mandatory office attendance policy.
    4. The company held a town hall meeting to restore trust, but it reportedly had the opposite effect among employees.
    5. Future changes depend on management’s willingness to address union demands, which include clearer workforce planning, a review of office attendance, and potential leadership changes.

    From February 10 to 12, 2026, a large number of Ubisoft workers, about 1,200, left their jobs. This number was verified by Marc Rutschlé, who is a spokesperson for the Solidaires Informatique union at Ubisoft. Along with various French locations, it is said that the studio in Milan also joined in on the strike.

    Cause of the Walkout

    The strike began due to what the company referred to as a “final” series of cost-cutting actions announced on January 21. This plan involves closing down studios, scrapping projects, and more layoffs. The union has called these steps “absurd” and has heavily criticized CEO Yves Guillemot. The situation escalated with the return of the mandatory office attendance policy. An employee who spoke out against this policy was first suspended and then let go. A recent town hall meeting aimed at restoring trust among employees seems to have had the opposite effect.

    Future Implications

    It is still uncertain if this strike will lead management to change their stance. For a compromise to happen, the company might need to consider some of the union’s requests. These requests are for clearer workforce planning, a review of the mandatory office attendance rule, and a significant change in the leadership team, which could include the resignation of CEO Yves Guillemot. In discussions on Reddit, the union appears to have substantial support. However, many users feel skeptical. Some expect additional layoffs, while others think the company might eventually be taken over.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Union Blames Ubisoft CEO for Crisis, Demands Resignation

    Union Blames Ubisoft CEO for Crisis, Demands Resignation

    Key Takeaways

    1. French trade union Solidaires Informatique is demanding the resignation of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot due to the company’s current struggles.
    2. Union representatives blame Guillemot for the company’s issues, expressing a lack of trust in his leadership.
    3. Criticism has arisen over nepotism after Guillemot’s son was appointed as co-CEO, with concerns about the lack of diversity in senior positions.
    4. The union believes the absence of diverse leadership negatively impacts creativity within the company.
    5. An international strike is planned for February 10–12, 2026, to unite workers in response to management’s actions.

    After a number of studio shutdowns, canceled initiatives, and internal conflicts regarding the return to the office, the situation at Ubisoft seems more delicate than ever. Now, officials from the French trade union Solidaires Informatique are vocally requesting the resignation of CEO Yves Guillemot. This demand comes after interviews with Game Developer that were also reported by Insider Gaming.

    Blame on the CEO

    Union spokespeople Marc Rutschlé and Chakib Mataoui are pointing fingers directly at Yves Guillemot. As the CEO, he is ultimately accountable for the company’s current condition. “At the end of the day, it’s his company,” Rutschlé remarks. Nevertheless, trust has dwindled to a point where expectations for a positive solution seem quite low. “I expect nothing from this guy,” the union member adds. In addition to Guillemot stepping down, the union is also calling for a complete restructuring of the management board.

    Criticism of Nepotism

    The recent decision to appoint Charlie, Yves Guillemot’s son, as co-CEO of a new Ubisoft branch has sparked significant backlash. The union lashes out at the company for nepotism and for nurturing a closed-off leadership atmosphere. Mataoui highlights the absence of diversity in senior positions, pointing out that executive roles are predominantly occupied by white men from the CEO’s close circle. He asserts that this lack of diversity hinders creativity: “We operate in a creative field. We require fresh ideas to come in and assist us in creating fantastic new games. But we’ve got none of that.”

    Upcoming International Strike

    In light of these recent occurrences, an international strike is planned for February 10–12, 2026. This action is being coordinated by Solidaires Informatique along with other French labor unions. Rutschlé is encouraging employees globally to band together, stating that if management operates on a worldwide level, then workers should as well. It remains unclear whether Yves Guillemot will respond to the union’s requests—and in what manner.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Ubisoft Employees Threaten Work Stoppage Over CEO Visit

    Ubisoft Employees Threaten Work Stoppage Over CEO Visit

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ubisoft’s decision to mandate a return to the workplace has faced significant backlash from employees, reversing previous remote work policies.
    2. An employee who criticized this change was suspended for three days without pay, highlighting tensions within the company.
    3. Trade unions have warned that a voluntary redundancy scheme could lead to around 200 job cuts at the Ubisoft Paris studio.
    4. Unions plan to stage a walkout if CEO Yves Guillemot visits the studio, indicating strong discontent among staff.
    5. The company’s future actions remain uncertain, with no public response to the threatened protest or the management’s decisions.

    Ubisoft has long struggled with its image regarding employee contentment, and the current situation seems to be a significant low point. Recently, the company declared an internal reorganization that mandates employees to return to the workplace, reversing earlier remote work policies. This decision has reportedly faced considerable backlash from the staff. Matters escalated when one employee openly criticized the change and was said to be suspended for three days without pay.

    Rising Tensions

    The conflict has now reached a critical juncture. The latest issue arose from a suggestion by Ubisoft management for a voluntary redundancy scheme. Trade unions have indicated that this plan might lead to as many as 200 job cuts at the Ubisoft Paris studio. In reaction, several French unions have threatened to stage a walkout if Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot makes a visit to the studio.

    A Call to Action

    This response follows an internal letter from the trade unions that was leaked and published by the French publication Le Figaro. In that letter, the unions express that should Yves Guillemot appear at the studio, employees will abandon their workstations and assemble outside the building to demonstrate. Internal documents suggest that this action is meant to convey a strong message to the Ubisoft CEO—that his presence is unwelcomed as long as he continues to treat his employees poorly.

    Uncertain Future

    Yves Guillemot is said to have planned a visit to Ubisoft Paris in the week after January 28, but it is still uncertain if this visit will take place. The company has yet to publicly address the threatened walkout. On social media platforms like Reddit, many users believe that the planned protest is a rightful response to what they perceive as years of dubious management choices.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,