Australian workers are reportedly being cautioned against booking annual leave for November 19, a date marked by a significant increase in employee requests for time off. This surge is linked to the official launch of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), a title that has generated substantial anticipation among gamers globally.
The upcoming release marks the first new installment in the Grand Theft Auto series in 13 years, with the last major release, GTA V, launching in September 2013. The long wait has fueled excitement for fans, including many in Australia.
One employee in administration at a commercial real estate company shared on Reddit that their team leader had flagged leave requests around November 19 as requiring further explanation due to understaffing. The team leader reportedly acknowledged that human resources was aware of the reason for the influx of requests, identifying it as the GTA 6 launch. The employee expressed concern about the dilemma of whether to risk requesting the leave, noting that faking illness was not an option and they did not want to miss the game's release.
The Reddit thread reportedly saw hundreds of comments from users debating the appropriateness of justifying annual leave. Some suggested that employees do not need to justify their use of annual leave, as it is personal time. Others advised applying early or taking the following week off to avoid potential server issues and spoilers during the launch period. Some noted that taking sick leave for such a reason could lead to repercussions.
However, not all workplaces have viewed such requests negatively. One individual shared that their boss approved their request for Thursday and Friday off, understanding their excitement for the game. They noted that this situation might be different in industries with a higher concentration of gamers where a significant portion of the workforce might request the same days off.
Some employees have also pointed out that GTA 6 is scheduled to be released at 4 p.m. AEDT on November 19, suggesting that taking Friday, November 20, off might be a more strategic choice to allow for gameplay on Thursday evening and a full Friday off. Others suggested waiting longer, citing the likelihood of launch-day bugs and server issues, recommending a week off from November 27 to avoid initial problems and experience the game more smoothly.