ANZ workers risk discipline if they pull a sickie for GTA6 release, experts warn

Australians and New Zealanders will be first to play Grand Theft Auto VI, prompting leave-request surge

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources3 outlets

Australians and New Zealanders will be the first gamers in the world to play Grand Theft Auto VI when it releases in a staggered late-night global launch on 19 November, but employment law experts warn that calling in sick to play the game could lead to disciplinary action or even dismissal.

Rockstar Games is releasing Grand Theft Auto VI on the night of 19 November, with the timezone advantage meaning players across the Tasman can start playing hours before most other regions, including Miami in the United States, which inspired the game's Vice City setting.

The game has already generated an estimated US$600 million in pre-sales revenue a month before release and is widely forecast to set record multi-billion-dollar sales worldwide.

Social media has been flooded with posts about people planning not to turn up to work on Friday 20 November. In anticipation, Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman issued a themed post this month flagging extra unpaid leave requests. In July, one US Army battalion offered a special four-day leave pass for soldiers to play the game on release in return for re-enlisting for at least two more years; at least 20 soldiers confirmed they took the deal.

For Australian and New Zealand workers, the safest option is to book annual leave in advance, according to Shae McCrystal, Professor of Labour Law at the University of Sydney, and Dawn Duncan, Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago Faculty of Law.

Under Australia's Fair Work Act, annual leave can be taken for any reason as long as the employer agrees and the employee has accrued leave. However, if too many staff request the same day off, the employer may need to refuse to keep the business operational.

Paid personal leave, including sick leave, is only available for employees who are unfit for work due to illness or injury, or who are caring for a family member. Playing a game does not qualify. Claiming leave that is not entitled is misconduct and could lead to disciplinary processes.

In New Zealand, the rules are similar. Annual leave can be used for any purpose and an employer cannot unreasonably refuse a request. Employees without a full 12 months of service can ask for annual leave in advance, but there is no right to it. Sick leave is only for health reasons or caring for someone else. Some employers offer contractual wellbeing leave, which could cover playing the game if the policy allows for activities that improve mental wellbeing.

Unpaid leave is available in limited circumstances, but a video game release is not considered an unexpected family emergency, the Fair Work Ombudsman has made clear. Both countries' laws require honesty and good faith in leave arrangements.

The experts advise booking annual leave early and being transparent with employers to avoid risking legal trouble in real life.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Thousands of workers across Australia and New Zealand may request time off on November 20, creating staffing challenges for employers.
Misusing sick leave to play a video game constitutes misconduct and could result in disciplinary action or dismissal.
The GTA6 launch is a major cultural event with record pre-sales, and the staggered release gives ANZ players an early access advantage that amplifies the workplace impact.

Background

Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the most anticipated video game releases in history, with pre-sales already reaching US$600 million. Rockstar Games opted for a staggered global release on November 19 rather than a simultaneous launch, meaning Australians and New Zealanders will begin playing hours before other regions. The game's "Vice City" setting is inspired by Miami. The US Army has already offered special leave for soldiers who re-enlist to play on release day. The Fair Work Ombudsman in Australia issued a themed social media post this month anticipating extra leave requests.

Key Perspectives

Employees: Many workers are eager to play GTA6 as soon as it launches and may be tempted to call in sick or request last-minute leave. Social media indicates widespread plans to skip work on November 20. Employers: Businesses need to maintain sufficient staffing to operate. Employers may need to manage multiple leave requests for the same day and can reasonably refuse annual leave if too many staff are off. They may need to enforce honesty policies if employees misuse sick leave. Legal experts: Employment law professors Shae McCrystal and Dawn Duncan warn that "pulling a sickie" to play GTA6 is not a valid use of sick leave and could lead to misconduct findings. They advise booking annual leave in advance and being honest with employers.

What to Watch

Whether the Fair Work Ombudsman or NZ employment authorities receive complaints or issue further guidance as the release date approaches.
How many companies report disciplinary cases or dismissals related to unauthorised leave on November 20.
Potential changes in employer leave policies for future major game or entertainment releases.

Sources

Want to call in sick to play Grand Theft Auto 6? Here’s how not to break the law · RNZ New Zealand Headlines
Want to take leave or call in sick to play Grand Theft Auto 6? Here’s how not to break the law · Business + Economy – The Conversation
Want to take leave or call in sick to play Grand Theft Auto 6? Here’s how not to break the law · The Conversation – Articles (AU)

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedANZ workers who call in sick to play GTA6 risk disciplinary action, experts warn.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““Pulling a sickie” to play GTA6 could result in disciplinary action — or even dismissal if your employer finds out.”
Partly supportedAustralians and New Zealanders will be first to play GTA6, prompting a leave-request surge.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Australians and New Zealanders will be the first gamers in the world to play R-rated video game Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA6) – and employers are being warned it could mean some staff don’t turn up to work on Friday, 20 November.”
Partly supportedCalling in sick to play GTA6 could lead to discipline or dismissal for Australian and New Zealand workers.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““Pulling a sickie” to play GTA6 could result in disciplinary action — or even dismissal if your employer finds out.”
Partly supportedRockstar Games is releasing GTA6 in a staggered, late-night global launch on 19 November.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Game developer Rockstar Games is planning a staggered, late-night, global release on 19 November, rather than a simultaneous launch.”
SupportedThe timezone advantage means Australian and New Zealand players can start playing hours before most other places, including Miami.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “This means gamers across the Tasman will start playing GTA6 hours before most other places, including Miami in the United States, which inspired the game’s “Vice City” setting.”
SupportedGTA6 has an estimated US$600 million in pre-sales revenue about a month before release.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “GTA6 has already made an estimated US$600 million in pre-sales revenue, even a month before its release.”
Partly supportedPaid personal leave in Australia is available to workers unfit for work or caring for a family member.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Paid personal leave, which includes sick leave and carer’s leave, is only available where an employee is sick or injured and unfit for work, or is caring for a member of their family or household due to illness, injury or unexpected emergency.”
SupportedAustralia’s Fair Work Ombudsman put out a GTA6-themed post this month anticipating extra unpaid leave requests.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman even put out a GTA6 -themed post this month, in anticipation of extra unpaid leave requests.”
SupportedIn July, a US Army battalion offered a four-day leave pass for soldiers who re-enlisted for at least two more years; at least 20 took the deal.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “In July, one US Army battalion offered a special four-day leave pass for soldiers to play the game as soon as it’s released, in return for re-enlisting for at least another two years with the army. At least 20 soldiers are confirmed to have taken the deal.”
SupportedIn New Zealand, some employers’ contractual wellbeing leave may cover staying home to play GTA6, depending on the policy.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Staying home to play GTA6 might fall within the scope of this type of leave, depending on the wording of the contract or policy.”