This company is giving workers time off to play the new ‘Grand Theft Auto’
With the highly anticipated release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI just around the corner, one company is unveiling a new perk for its employees: paid time off for gaming. In an initiative it is calling “Logi Game Day,” consumer electronics firm Logitech announced yesterday that each of its 7,000 workers will receive one paid day off per year to play video games. Along with hosting a…
As the eagerly awaited launch of Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI approaches, one company is introducing a novel benefit for its employees: paid time off for gaming. Logitech, a consumer electronics firm, revealed its "Logi Game Day" initiative, granting each of its 7,000 workers a paid day off annually to indulge in video games. In addition to hosting a streaming event at its San Jose headquarters on November 19, the company claims to be "formally recognizing the cognitive and professional benefits of gaming."
Hanneke Faber, Logitech's CEO, dismisses the outdated notion that gaming is a waste of time. She argues that as a company crafting products for both work and play, they have witnessed firsthand how engagement in one domain enhances performance in the other. The timing of Logi Game Day aligns with the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, the first new title in the highly popular series in 13 years. Many employees anticipate utilizing "GTA flu" to maximize their gaming experience on the release day.
According to a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults who regularly play video games during work hours, 39% plan to request time off in advance, 36% intend to call in sick, and 32% will work from home on the game's release day. The Wall Street Journal has already warned of a potential "work blackout," and a Spanish economist estimates that GTA VI's release could result in a $1 billion loss in U.S. productivity.
However, Logitech remains unfazed by these concerns. The company, which markets gaming equipment through its Logitech G brand, has published research indicating that gamers believe gaming enhances real-world confidence, reduces anxiety, and even correlates with improved work performance.
Logitech's chief people officer, Elaine Laird, emphasizes that dedicated time for play allows individuals to decompress, immerse themselves in a different experience, and return with a clearer focus, renewed energy, and new perspectives on complex challenges. She stresses that "play is not the opposite of work."
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