Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman explains how to take time off for GTA 6
Australia's workplace regulator used GTA 6 to explain unpaid leave, then followed up with a gentle warning about "sickies" on launch day.
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GTA 6 is such a big deal that a government workplace regulator is talking about it. Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman used the game in social media posts to explain workers' leave rights, and it went viral.
The first post: unpaid leave
The Ombudsman's post asked readers to imagine GTA 6 was out tomorrow and they had no paid leave left. The message: you can ask your employer for unpaid leave, but they don't have to say yes. It's an agreement between you and your boss.
It also made clear that other kinds of leave don't cover a gaming day:
- Carer's leave is for looking after family members.
- Community service leave is for things like emergency volunteering.
- Compassionate and parental leave have their own specific purposes.
The follow-up: about those "sickies"
A later post explained the notice and evidence rules for sick leave. Many people read it as a polite warning against calling in "sick" on November 19. Employers can ask for evidence, so a fake sick day carries real risk.
Tips wherever you live
- Book annual leave early. Launch week requests are piling up.
- Pre-load the game so you can play the moment it unlocks, even before or after work.
- Check your local rules. Leave laws vary by country and contract.
GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
OFFICIAL SCREENSHOTSSee Rockstar's official GTA VI screenshotsView the full launch gallery on rockstargames.com →
