Live · Reported · 11/03/2026 09:06

GTA 6: 11% of workers plan time off for the November 19 launch

A Zety report cited by HR Dive says 11% of workers plan to take time off or change their schedule for GTA 6, out November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Sources hrdive.com

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Roughly one worker in ten is already thinking about November 19. According to an October Zety report, relayed by HR Dive, 11% of workers plan to take time off or adjust their schedules for the launch of GTA 6, out November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

GTA 6: 11% of workers plan time off for the November 19 launch
Image: viciados.net

What does the Zety report say?

HR Dive, a US outlet covering human resources, sums up the study: the habit is more common among younger workers than older ones, and among men more than women. 9% of respondents also say they have already taken paid leave for a video game. The survey covers other entertainment events too, and some employees would rather call in sick than ask for leave. HR Dive does not give the sample size in this piece.

A billion-dollar sick day?

Zety is not alone, HR Dive notes. In September, Steven Adams of the Houston Rockets joked that the NBA's performance would drop because of GTA 6 in November. A Money.com report calls November 19 a "billion-dollar sick day". These are projections and self-reported surveys, not measures of productivity. Nothing says how many people will actually take the day.

Columnist Caroline Colvin compares it to the Monday after the Super Bowl, when many Americans call in sick, or to March Madness. Her advice: HR teams should plan ahead and approve leave, even if it means running with a smaller team that day.

Read also GTA 6 fan survey: 7% would give up a pet to play a week early

What about France and Europe?

The report is American and the article gives no figures for other countries. What we know about the launch: the game arrives on a Thursday, November 19, and preloading opens November 12. The unlock time is unknown, which matters for anyone planning a late-night start. Our release page keeps the countdown up to date. A poll reported by IGN already showed fans will go far to play early: 7% would give up their pet.

Why it matters

Nothing changes for the game itself, but the figure says something about the wait: thirteen years after GTA 5, the date weighs on work calendars. Whether these intentions turn into real absences remains to be seen. For now it is a stated intention collected by a job-advice site and relayed by an HR outlet.

Sources hrdive.com

Reported Reported by the press, not confirmed by Rockstar

By Lara Rivolet · GTAVIFRANCE newsroom

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