Australia tells GTA 6 fans what to do if they want launch day off

NewsAustralia just answered a question millions of GTA 6 fans are askingAustralia’s Fair Work Ombudsman used a humorous GTA 6-themed social media post to explain unpaid leave rules ahead of the game’s Nov. 19 release. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)APWith the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto 6 set for Nov. 19, many gamers are already making plans to spend hours exploring Rockstar Games’ newest virtual world. But Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman recently stepped in with a humorous reminder about what employees can and cannot do if they want the day off. The government agency, which oversees workplace rights in Australia, posted a series of images on Instagram using GTA 6 as an example to explain unpaid leave rules, Yahoo! said. The post asked a simple question: What happens if the game launches tomorrow and you have no paid leave left? The agency then walked through several types of unpaid leave that are protected under Australia’s National Employment Standards. Workers can sometimes take unpaid leave to care for a sick family member, help with emergency community service, or care for a new child. But officials jokingly pointed out that none of those situations apply to a video game launch, Dexerto reported. One of the most talked-about parts of the post involved parental leave. The agency reminded fans that while GTA 6 has been highly anticipated for years, “a video game isn’t a child.” The joke quickly spread across social media and earned praise from many gamers, Games.GG said. The Fair Work Ombudsman said workers who are out of annual leave still have another option. They can ask their employer for unpaid leave. However, there is no automatic legal right to get time off just because a new game is being released. Approval depends on an agreement between the worker and employer, Inven Global reported. The unusual government post highlights just how much excitement surrounds GTA 6. Industry analysts expect the game to be one of the biggest entertainment launches ever, and some fans are already planning vacation days around its release, according to Game Rant. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by AL.com staff.