GTA 6 release drives surge in US employee leave requests

The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19, 2026, is significantly impacting the American labor market. Data from HR software company BambooHR reveals that leave requests for that Thursday have increased by between 9% and 17% compared to historical averages for the third Thursday of November.

Among surveyed full-time employees in the United States, approximately 18% plan to take time off on the release date. This interest is particularly high among younger demographics, with 32% of Gen Z respondents planning to take leave, compared to 27% of Millennials. Some employees even indicated they might call in sick rather than formally requesting time off.

Economists estimate the potential productivity loss in the United States could reach $1 billion due to the game's launch. Rockstar Games has supported the high anticipation with an extensive marketing campaign in Miami, including large-scale neon installations and real-world replicas of in-game brands like Burger Shot.