Zenimax QA Workers Strike over Microsoft’s Return to Office Policy

ZeniMax workers strike against Microsoft over job security and remote work policies.

On November 13, ZeniMax QA employees staged a strike, taking a stand against Microsoft’s “Work from Home” policy and the outsourcing of their quality assurance jobs. ZeniMax Workers United-CWA is one of the largest unions in the gaming industry, and this time, the members of the union protested at ZeniMax offices in Texas and Maryland.

The ZeniMax Union includes 300 quality assurance employees of Microsoft who work with Bethesda Softworks, a gaming studio and developer of Fallout 76 and Starfield. One of the union members posted on X, “Today, we are on strike. We are not afraid to do what’s necessary to make sure that Microsoft meets us at the bargaining table over key issues like remote work options and outsourcing.”

Image: Microsoft Surface

ZeniMax vs. Microsoft: The Quiet Storm Behind the QA Strike

The ZeniMax Workers United was first recognized as a union in January 2023 and became the first union of the parent company, Microsoft. It is one of the largest gaming unions in the United States. The major conflict between the union and Microsoft is with regard to the changes in the remote work policies and the outsourcing of quality assurance workers without consultation.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Microsoft shifted to flexible work-from-home policies for their employees. Recently, the company has had a change of heart and is now calling its employees back to the office. In October 2024, Activision Quality Assurance United held a rally at their offices in Texas, California, and Minnesota to protest against Microsoft’s return-to-office policy. The workers claimed that the company was even unwilling to accommodate workers with health issues and doctor recommendations.

The Communication Workers of America (CWA), which looks after several video game unions including ZeniMax Workers United in America, also filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint claims the company outsourced work without informing the union, calling it an unfair labor practice.

The union said, “ZeniMax’s recent unilateral decision to outsource quality assurance work threatens job security amid record layoffs across the videogame industry.”

ZeniMax Workers United, backed by the Communications Workers of America, is standing firm, demanding that Microsoft meet them at the bargaining table to address these pressing issues.

At the heart of this conflict is the fear that the company’s corporate decisions are leaving workers behind, particularly as the video game industry grapples with layoffs and shifting work dynamics. While Microsoft may view the changes as necessary for its business model, for the QA employees on the front lines, these decisions are felt deeply, impacting their job security and work-life balance.

As this struggle continues, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for labor rights within the gaming industry, especially as other unions like Activision Quality Assurance United join in the fight for fair treatment.

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