Grand Theft Auto 6 release expected to cause wave of sickies

Detailed summary

Employers, be warned: you might be short-staffed on Thursday, November 19, as gamers dive into Grand Theft Auto 6. The post Grand Theft Auto 6 release expected to cause wave of…

Employers, be warned: you might be short-staffed on Thursday, November 19, with workers nationwide expected to come down with the Grand Theft Auto 6 flu.

After 13 long years, the latest instalment in the record-breaking video game franchise launches in Australia next week.

Its arrival is broadly tipped to cause workforce shortages, with staff opting to immerse themselves in the run-and-gun video game rather than front up for work.

Data prepared by shift management platform Deputy suggests workplaces should prepare for increased absenteeism when GTA 6 goes live.

Shift absenteeism rose when other big-name titles like Elden Ring and Overwatch 2 launched, according to Deputy data.

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But the new title is expected to be the biggest video game launch of the year, if not the decade, potentially causing an even greater number of Australian workers to take unplanned leave.

Pre-downloads have already commenced, making it easier for gamers to play GTA 6 the moment its officially launches.

Even so, Deputy chief technology officer Ciaran Hale said employers should also keep an eye out for worker no-shows next Wednesday.

Opening of the article, excerpted from SmartCompany. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.