GTA 6 launch drives rise in leave requests worldwide

Workers around the world are requesting time off for the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, according to figures reported by Swiss broadcaster SRF. The game is due out on Thursday, November 19.

In Germany, holiday requests for the release day and the days after it are 38 percent above average, according to workforce software provider Personio. Requests to use up overtime are also up by about 58 percent. HR platform Remote reported a similar rise in holiday requests, saying 32 percent more employees worldwide are taking time off around the launch than did last year.

Remote expects the biggest increase in Italy, where nearly twice as many workers are taking time off as last year. India is up 60 percent and Ireland 57 percent. Switzerland is not among the 10 countries with the largest increases. Remote said men from Generation Z are the most likely to take time off, with employees in finance and marketing also overrepresented.

There is no clear nationwide trend in Switzerland. Major employers Swiss International Air Lines, Swiss Federal Railways and Swiss Post told SRF they had seen no unusual increase in requests for leave or days off. Retailer Brack, however, said more employees were taking time off around the game’s release.

Computer accessories maker Logitech, headquartered in Lausanne, has introduced a company-wide gaming day for the first time. Employees will receive an additional day off for gaming, with a focus on GTA 6. Logitech said video games can develop skills such as strategic thinking and problem-solving, and that it also wanted to challenge the idea that gaming is simply a waste of time.

In a recent Logitech study, 81 percent of respondents said gaming boosts confidence, reduces anxiety and is linked to better performance at work. Remote plans to compare possible sick days after the launch with last year’s figures, which are due to be available on November 26.