HBODespite the mixed responses to the final season of Game of Thrones so far, it seems we’re all still going to tune in to the last ever episode – how could we not?
Whether you’re tuning in to see how the showrunners kill off all the characters – and the show itself – on Sunday night/Monday morning’s finale, or whether you’re still hopeful for some kind of last ditch redemption, we’ve all come this far, and we just need to know how it ends, for better or worse.
While it was reported that up to three millions Brits called in sick after staying up to watch the season premiere, even more fans across the world are expected to do the same after the finale.
HBOA survey, from The Workforce Institute at Kronos, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that the concluding episode of Game of Thrones is going to cause a major dip in workplace attendance the next day.
The poll revealed the final instalment will have an impact on an estimated 27.2 million US workers, as people surveyed said it would have a direct impact on their work obligations the following day.
You can watch the trailer for the season finale here:
34 per cent of those surveyed said they plan to tune in to the last episode, which would put it in the top 10 of most-watched series finales in television history.
The research, titled ‘Absence is Coming’, approximated 27.2 million employees will either ‘miss work completely, arrive late, work remotely, be less productive than usual, or experience another impact on work obligations’ following the Game of Thrones finale.
As the programme airs in America on a Sunday night, most people are off work during the time it’s on. However, for those who work Sunday evenings, it was suggested around 5.8 million plan to use a holiday day, take a sick day or a personal day to be able to watch it.
HBOIt’s not just the finale of the show that has affected productivity however, as it was revealed around 20 million people admit to the current season affecting their attendance or performance at work as a whole.
Joyce Maroney, executive director at The Workforce Institute at Kronos, said:
What do we say to the God of Absence? Not today – or at least organizations can if they embrace, not avoid, cultural phenomenon like the Game of Thrones series finale.
Empower employees with flexible schedules and the ability to request time off or swap shifts from anywhere, at any time so they can enjoy moments that matter in their lives, and don’t be shy to use pop culture common ground to build camaraderie with employees and managers.
I’m lucky I get to write about Game of Thrones as part of my job. That being said, Monday is going to be a struggle, both physically and emotionally. In fact I think I’m coming down with something already…
The final episode of Game of Thrones airs on Sunday, May 19, on HBO and Monday, May 20, on Sky Atlantic.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.