Australian employers anticipate surge in sick leave as Grand Theft Auto VI launches

Australian workplaces are preparing for a spike in sick-leave requests ahead of the November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. The game, released on Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox consoles, has become the most pre-ordered title in both companies’ histories. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick predicted in April that many people would call in sick on the release day.

Deputy, a workforce-management software provider, said absenteeism could rise about 90 percent above average, based on data from previous major game launches such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring and Overwatch 2. Chief technology officer Ciaran Hale explained that shift workers often clear their schedules a day before a launch to pre-download large game files, which can create a multi-day scheduling crunch for frontline staff.

One Sydney healthcare worker, Josh, booked two weeks of leave for the launch and said his colleagues are aware of his plans. He expects to spend most of the time playing the game but also intends to handle household chores and spend time with his family.

The National Broadband Network (NBN) expects the digital-only release to generate a record-breaking traffic month. Pre-downloads of the game’s more than 200 GB of data began earlier this week, causing an uptick of about 3 terabits per second on November 10, though this remained below typical daily peaks. A spokesperson noted that pre-loading helps spread download activity, reducing the likelihood of a single-hour traffic spike, but overall traffic could still set a monthly record.

The Fair Work Ombudsman reminded gamers to submit leave requests early and clarified that standard leave categories such as unpaid carer’s leave, community service leave or parental leave do not apply to time off for the game. Employees without annual leave may need to negotiate unpaid leave with their employers, and employers can request evidence for sick-leave claims made around the launch date.