- Bosses have been warned of mass-sickies as the popular HBO show goes to air
- The well anticipated debut of the final season on Monday will mark historic TV
- First episode of season 8 expects to reach more than 500,000 in Australia alone
- Slater and Gordon employment lawyer reveals how you can pull it off legally
Bosses across Australia have been warned of mass staff sickies as the first episode of Game of Thrones final season is released on Monday.
The popular HBO series will debut it’s first episode of its eighth season, which is expected to mark a historic event in television history.
The episode of the series, centred around a medieval world called Westeros, will first air on 9am Monday in Western Australia, when workers are usually clocking on the job – and 11am in the eastern states.
Slater and Gordon employment lawyer, Daniel Stokanoski, says he expects many employees would take Monday off, The West Australian reports.
‘They would do this legally through taking leave and illegally by falsely claiming illness… I can definitely say there will be a bigger rate of people taking the day off to watch Game of Thrones because it’s a Monday, it’s convenient,’ he told the publication.
‘The Eagles and the Dockers are playing on Saturday night. Perth Glory is playing on Sunday night at home… What a wonderful epic long weekend bender! Watch the footy, watch the football, watch Game of Thrones,’ he said.
But Mr Stokanoski also gave a warning to workers.
He has advised people to avoid lying about being sick and instead take leave or ask their bosses for flexibility, such as starting or finishing early.
TV Tonight blog editor, David Knox, also weighed in on the hot topic.
‘If your workmate calls in sick on Monday, chances are they have a bad case of Westerositis, which will likely repeat for the next few weeks… If you dare to spoil them with a death you’ve read about on social media, prepare to be cut from the will,’ Knox said.
Game of Thrones, adopted from the novel collection written by George R. R. Martin, rose to global stardom since the gory fantasy drama first aired in 2011.
Foxtel broadcasts the series in Australia, which is produced by HBO.