Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
Workers book leave ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI launch
Workers are booking time off for Grand Theft Auto VI’s launch on November 19, rather than waiting to call in sick.
The game is the first new instalment in 13 years of a major video game series, and its pre-orders have set records.
Leave requests are above normal in several countries, though the size of the increase differs between providers and places.
In Germany, one provider recorded 38 per cent more leave requests than average, while another reported a 32 per cent global rise in planned time off.
Australian leave booked for launch day is up 29 per cent compared with the same Thursday last year, across data covering more than 870,000 workers.
The extra leave could disrupt workplace schedules, but the available data does not show how large the effect will be across whole economies.
The game is due to launch on November 19, and employers are preparing for possible staff absences around that date.
Workers in Australia and other countries are booking leave ahead of the November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Employment Hero data show leave booked for launch day is up 29 per cent among more than 870,000 Australian workers tracked.
In Germany, Personio reported leave requests 38 per cent above average and time off in lieu 58 per cent higher.
Remote reported a 32 per cent worldwide rise in leave requests around the game’s launch, with the largest increase in Italy.
Employers are also preparing for possible absences, though the scale of the wider economic impact is unclear.
- Who
- Workers in Australia, Germany and other countries are booking time off. Employers are preparing for possible absences.
- What
- Leave requests have risen ahead of the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
- When
- The game is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. Workers are also requesting leave for the following days.
- Where
- The reports cover Australia, Germany and other countries worldwide.
- Why
- Workers want time to play the highly anticipated game.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Grand Theft Auto V was released.
Melbourne worker Brendan Delacoe told his manager he wanted launch day and the following day off.
Sony and Microsoft opened preloading of GTA VI.
GTA VI is scheduled to be released.
- Release date
- November 19, 2026
- Australian workers tracked
- More than 870,000
- Australia leave increase
- 29 per cent on the same Thursday last year
- Germany leave requests
- 38 per cent above average, according to Personio
- Remote worldwide leave requests
- 32 per cent higher around launch
3 sources
What people are saying
a lot of people will be calling in sick on November 19
With GTA VI’s level of anticipation, it’s likely to cause a major, multi-day scheduling crunch across the frontline workforce.
You know, gotta prioritise things
certain