Why HR should care about GTA 6: 1 in 10 plan time off

Update (3 Nov 2026): Reported BambooHR workforce data shows 18% of salaried US workers plan to take 19 November off, including 32% of Gen Z and 27% of millennial workers. Burger Motorsports says it will close for the day because of staff scheduling around GTA 6 (via Moneywise / Yahoo Finance).

Update (2 Nov 2026): Reported In Australia, 7NEWS reports that workplaces are preparing for a spike in sick days (“sickies”) around the GTA 6 launch (via 7NEWS and News24).

What the survey found

• 11% of workers plan to take time off or adjust their schedule for GTA 6 (Zety, October 2026). Reported
• It is more common among younger workers and men.
• 9% say they have taken paid time off for a video game before.
• Some workers may simply call in “sick” instead of asking for leave.

HR Dive reporter Caroline Colvin also points to a Money.com report, cited by Nerdist, that called 19 November a possible “billion-dollar sick day”, and to Houston Rockets player Steven Adams, who joked in September that NBA performance would dip in November.

What HR Dive tells employers

The column says HR should take a positive, proactive approach: let people take time off when they need it and plan cover early, because having a plan is better than being short-staffed on launch week. GTA 6 pre-loading starts on 12 November and the game unlocks on 19 November 2026.

Take-Two’s boss has said something similar: read Zelnick says people will call in sick for GTA 6, and see what else people would give up in our early access survey story.

Sources

• HR Dive (Caroline Colvin) ↗

Last checked: 2 Nov 2026. Labels: Official = Rockstar or platform holder, Reported = previews or press, Unconfirmed = not stated by Rockstar.

What to read next

• Zelnick: people will call in sick
• What gamers would give up to play early
• GTA 6 release time