The Australian regulatory body Fair Work Ombudsman, responsible for enforcing labor laws, published a humorous series of posts about Grand Theft Auto VI, in which it analyzed what types of unpaid leave employees could use if they wanted to spend release day playing the game.
The reason for the publication was the approaching release date of GTA VI. Interest in the game is so great that some fans are already planning their work schedules around the release. Social media discusses companies willing to suspend operations for one day, and even professional athletes who suggest that the launch of the new Grand Theft Auto could affect attendance at sporting events.
The Australian regulator decided to look at the situation from a practical perspective: what should an employee do if all paid leave days have already been used, but they still don't want to miss the launch of GTA VI?
In its publication, the Fair Work Ombudsman consistently reviewed the unpaid leave options provided by Australia's National Employment Standards (NES).
The first was leave to care for a sick or injured family or household member. However, the desire to spend the entire day playing GTA VI does not fall under this clause. The regulator played on the situation, presenting the game as a sick person who is carefully put to bed and checked for a fever.
The next option was leave for community service. In Australia, this is provided, in particular, for emergency service volunteers and people assisting in emergencies. The release of GTA VI itself, of course, does not fall under such circumstances.
Parental leave came closest to the desired outcome. In the published image, the game's logo glowed on an ultrasound screen, as if GTA VI was indeed preparing to be born after years of waiting.
But the regulator rejected this argument as well. Its comment read: “While the video game has been in development for a long time, it is not a child”.