San Diego, CA ('Revenge of the Sith' To Cost US Economy $627 Million in Lost Productivity)

Hey, I'm using accrued vacation time. I earned it!


http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=70241

Star Wars flick may see dramatic spike in staff absenteeism

BILL HOFFMANN

The Force will not be with American businesses next week when the new Star Wars flick opens.
Employers are expected to see a dramatic spike in absenteeism as workers play hooky to see Star Wars: Episode III ? Revenge of the Sith, when it opens on May 19, according to a new report. That loss of productivity could cost employers as much as $627 million in the first two days that the picture ? the last installment of the epic sci-fi series ? hits theatres.

??There is a lot of anticipation to see the final movie,?? said John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

??With opening day falling on a Thursday, instead of the traditional Friday premiere, we are looking at two days of Star Wars-induced absenteeism.??

The findings are based on the assumption that attendance during the first two days will match that of the last Star Wars blockbuster, Episode II ? Attack of the Clones, which attracted 9.4 million people in 2002 ? when the movie was released.

According to Challenger, the estimates are that 4.8 million of those opening-day attendees are employed at least 35 hours per week.

With those full-timers earning an average of $130.60 per day, the two-day cost in terms of lost wages and productivity would be a staggering $626,880,000, he said.

But there is one big plus to the Star Wars opening.

??It will result in increased spending on movie tickets and refreshments, increased foreign and domestic tourism, and increased business in shops near the theatres,?? Challenger said.

?NYT

 

All those idiotic reporters who stick a camera in your face and tell you to "get a job and move out of your mother's basement", should be sent a link to that story.

 

I have seen much more interest in this final film then the previous two from folks that are casual Star Wars fans or even less then what you would call a fan.
The image of Vader seems to really be getting people excited about this one.

 

??It will result in increased spending on movie tickets and refreshments, increased foreign and domestic tourism, and increased business in shops near the theatres,??

yup.. because of this movie, i feel the need for more foreign travel.. i'm booking a trip to Endor on the Starspeeder 3000.

 

Dude, when you are leaving? I've been thinking about taking the same trip!

 

Jon's taking PTO for the day to go see it.

 

thats why smart companies make a business event out of the release of Star Wars. I was in San Jose when TPM came out - the entire town shut down and companies bought entire theaters for the opening day... guess thats why one theater was showing it on 16 of their 24 screens.

 

Both Emily and I are ditching work on wednesday to see it.

 

Even better. My School is giving my the afternoon of to go get in makeup and costume and the morning off the next day to recoup. The only reason I even have to go in on Thursday pm is cause of Open House. But the best part... They aren't cutting into my personal days/sick time. I get it all paid too!! I LOVE MY SCHOOL!

And Mark and Brian have referred to the "sickout" as Wookiee Hookie!

 

I get to have Thursday off!!! (since I have to work the Sun. following ROTS, for only 3 hours)

 

Wookie Hookie??? That so rocks. I'm going to borrow that term.

I'm taking most of next week off. Monday I do have school in the morning/afternoon, but I'll be in Line all evening. Tuesday is a special family anniversary, so I may or may not be around the Line during the day, depending on how I'm feeling. Wednesday I'm going to be in Line all day. Yeah baby! Thursday I'm sleeping. Friday I may actually work, haven't decided. Then on Saturday and Sunday I'm heading out of town. It's gonna be a week of Wookie Hookie!!!

 

LOL!!! Hey, I'm skipping school... LOL

 

I was actually going to work Thursday, but my supervisor kept saying to take it off completely. That I deserved a little break so I didn't get burned out.

Don't need to tell me twice!!!
Since I'm basically a paid volunteer on a fixed salary, they aren't really losing any money to me taking a day off, I still get paid the same amount.

 

I'm all for us little Jedi's rattling the corporate pillars a little bit!

 

My boss took us to ATOC opening day, and LOTR, and we got paid for it. He was great, he liked to skip work as much as me. Intel took us to PM but not opening day.

 

wow...you almost made me feel guilty for taking a "personal day off" on Wednesday...NAH! Cant wait!

 

Bah... I'm taking Wednesday and Thursday off, but thanks to the fact that the store has a nasty sale going on, I have to work all other five days of the week. :/

So much for lost productivity.

 

Wow! $627 millions?!? That sure is a lot when it come to hooky during time for SW. I'm speechless. Anyway, I'm glad I don't have to work on opening day. Lucky me.

 

I hear they are calling it "wookie hooky".

 

Yes, Master Kenobi posted that above.