Thousands of workers in the UK have booked time off for November 19, the launch date of Grand Theft Auto 6. HR specialist Brighthr analysed absence data from more than 1.2 million employees at 70,000 UK businesses.
The report found that £3.14 million worth of annual leave had been booked for that date, 7.9 per cent more than on the same date in 2025. An estimated 83,000 days off have been booked to play the game, potentially costing UK employers up to £12.4 million.
Brighthr CEO Alan Price said time off to play a game should be treated as just as valid as leave for a football match or concert. Employees, he said, decide how to use their annual leave.
