Last week, David Michaud-Cromp, who was in charge of the level design team at Ubisoft Montreal, received disciplinary action for criticizing his employer for forcing employees to return to the office, putting an end to remote working.
The website Insider Gaming has now been able to view the messages sent by Michaud-Cromp via Ubisoft’s internal messaging system. We also learn that he was ultimately fired as a result of his stance. He criticized not only the end of remote working, but also the closure of studios, the GAAS strategy, and the decision to appoint Charlie Guillemot, the son of CEO Yves Guillemot, as head of the Vantage Studios subsidiary.
He added that it is the employees who pay the price for the mistakes of management, which “keep swimming in millions of dollars”. Ubisoft apparently considered this tone too direct and chose to dismiss David Michaud-Cromp, who had worked for the publisher for over 13 years.
Finally, a Ubisoft spokesperson issued a statement on the matter.
“Sharing comments or opinions respectfully will not get you fired. We have a clear code of conduct that defines our shared expectations for safe and respectful collaboration, which employees review and sign each year. In the event of non-compliance with this code, our established procedures apply, including escalating measures based on the nature, severity, and repetition of the offense.”
It’s always unfortunate to hear about layoffs, especially when they involve someone who speaks out about important issues. It highlights the challenges within the industry and the complex dynamics at play. Wishing the best for David in his future endeavors.
I completely agree; it’s tough to see someone take a stand and then face such consequences. It’s interesting to consider how companies balance employee feedback with their internal culture, and this situation might spark more discussions about workplace transparency in the gaming industry.