While we talk a lot about crunch in the video game, Eidos wants to show that it is possible to work "only" four days a week without a reduction in salary.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the organization of work in many sectors, and for many video game companies, this has translated into new logistics with employees "stranded" at home. If the health crisis is on the decline in Canada, the reflection continues, as Eidos proves to us today.
Better productivity?
The 460 employees of Eidos Montreal and the 40 of Eidos Sherbrooke will switch to a 32-hour work week spread over 4 days, compared to 40 hours over 5 days so far, without a drop in salary. A new way of seeing the relationship to work that is not new, as David Anfossi, manager of Eidos Montreal, explains to La Presse.
“We didn't wake up one morning and say, 'We're transitioning to four days of work a week' […] It's an idea that came to mind in 2019.”
David Anfossi recognizes, however, that the arrival of the pandemic has reshuffled the cards. Teleworking has been imposed on all employees, and measures for well-being and work/family balance have been put in place. Like many other companies, Eidos realized that this translated into increased employee productivity.
Attracting new talent, retaining the best
David Anfossi explains that "as in any major cultural change, it is membership, in fact, which is a challenge" before specifying that "yes, it may seem beautiful, but there is a challenge that comes with that, that of getting organized so that your 32 hours are effective […] There is a lot of communication, everyone is involved in the success of this transition”.
Honest, the head of Eidos Montreal recognizes that this quest for well-being among employees is not disinterested: “It's the auction, we won't hide it. It's very difficult. The retention rate and the recruitment rate are also part of the data that will be measured through this initiative. »
While the workforce of Eidos Montreal (approximately 460 employees therefore) has been relatively stable for several years now, it is no longer simply a question of attracting new talent, but also of retaining its best elements, so that they do not leave. in the many other studios located in Montreal or, more broadly, in Quebec.
So there remains the question of the "leap into the unknown", but if it is always possible to go back if the results are not up to par, David Anfossi insists on the will of all the players: "We want to board 100%. We are in a real transition, everyone believes in it, and that is why we have defined measurement criteria. »
David Anfossi concludes: “During this development and in the tests that we are going to do, we will be able to measure what works and what works much less well. But the goal is to arrive at solutions. We'll see if we manage to do it and how to do it, but it's certainly an experience that we would like to share with the industry. Regardless of the industries, by the way. »
Who knows, maybe Eidos Montreal and Sherbrooke will spread?
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