Key information
With the release of GTA VI on PlayStation 5 approaching in approximately 2 months, anticipation among gamers is high. The Australian Fair Work Ombudsman has addressed this excitement by sharing tips on how employees might secure time off for the game's launch, even if they have exhausted their paid leave.
The agency highlights provisions within the National Employment Standards that allow for unpaid leave under specific circumstances. These include emergency situations, such as caring for a sick family member or friend, or participating in emergency community service. The Ombudsman notes that workers are entitled to take such leave for these valid reasons.
The Fair Work Ombudsman explicitly clarified that citing a desire to play a new video game is not a valid reason for leave. While they jokingly referenced long-term parental leave, they emphasized that using a game release as a justification for time off will not be successful for employees.
This guidance serves as a reminder of workplace rights for Australian citizens. While the agency provided these tips in the context of the upcoming game, they warned that workers should not expect approval if they attempt to use the game's release as a formal reason for absence.
