1News says sick leave does not cover a day of gaming in Australia or New Zealand; annual leave, requested early, is the only safe route.
Sources 1news.co.nz
Employers in Australia and New Zealand are bracing for Friday, November 20. 1News reports that both countries will be among the first in the world to play GTA 6, which raises the prospect of staff missing work the day after launch. The New Zealand outlet went through what the law allows and what it does not.
No, says 1News. In Australia, paid personal leave, which covers sick leave and carer's leave, only applies when an employee is ill, injured or caring for a family member in an emergency. Playing a game fits none of those. The Fair Work Ombudsman, Australia's workplace regulator, published a GTA 6-themed post this month ahead of extra unpaid leave requests, and has made clear that a global video game release is not a family emergency.
The same goes in New Zealand: pulling a sickie to play can lead to disciplinary action, or even dismissal if the employer finds out. Claiming leave you are not entitled to is misconduct, the outlet writes.
The safest route is annual leave, which can be used for any reason as long as you have accrued it and agreed the date with your employer. They can say no if too many staff ask for the same day, hence the advice to book early. In New Zealand an employer cannot unreasonably refuse, and newer employees are sometimes allowed to take leave in advance, though that is not a right.
Read also GTA 6 release time: the viral "official" Instagram chart is wrong
Unpaid leave can be negotiated but is not guaranteed. Then there is the wellbeing leave written into some New Zealand contracts: depending on its wording, it might cover a day of gaming, in the same way as a hike or a spa day.
1News says Rockstar plans a staggered, late-night release on November 19, which would put Australia and New Zealand ahead of Miami. That fits the time zones, but Rockstar has never announced the unlock time: we already explained why the viral release-time table is fake. The outlet also recalls that a US Army battalion offered four days of leave in return for re-enlisting, with at least 20 soldiers taking the deal, and that pre-orders are said to have passed $600 million.
For Australian and New Zealand readers the law has not changed, but the reminder is useful: ask now, use annual leave, and be honest about it. France has had the same debate, as we saw with the days off booked for launch. All release details are on the release page.
Sources 1news.co.nz
Reported Reported by the press, not confirmed by Rockstar
By Amélie · GTAVIFRANCE newsroom
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