this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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[–] eddietrax@dmv.social 18 points 1 year ago (7 children)

American here. Have unlimited PTO. It’s definitely not the norm but it does exist. I came from a company with only 2 weeks paid time off (total).

[–] ReallyActuallyFrankenstein@lemmynsfw.com 43 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Unfortunately a simple "unlimited PTO" policy is fake pro-employee policy.

  • Overall, studies show employees actually take less days off under that policy, likely due to the uncertainty and stress over what is "really" the expectation, and how it will affect the employee's job security.
  • Employees end up working over vacations more often.
  • Since there are no fixed days, employers don't need to pay for unused vacation time periodically or when an employee leaves.

It plays out in a way that actually ends up harming the employee.

Every "unlimited PTO" policy should be combined with a minimum PTO policy. If you're wondering if a company actually cares about its employees' mental health, that's how you know.

[–] jscari@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago

I’ve worked at a few places with “unlimited PTO” and I totally agree.

It sounds great in practice: “as long as your work is getting done, take as much PTO as you want!” In reality, it never works out that way because there’s never a “good” time to take a vacation; if you don’t have vacation days that you have to use, you won’t use them.

[–] clegko@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

This isn't always the case, but it seems to be the majority of companies where it's used this way. My current job truly is unlimited PTO with an unwritten "TAKE YOUR GODDAMN TIME OFF" rule.

[–] Elderos@lemmings.world -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We had unlimited PTO at my old job and I thought it was awesome. I'd take day off when sick, whenever I needed a break or I would pad my "annual" time off to extend my break over one extra weekend. This felt pretty standard in both places I worked with this policy. There was no question asked and no direct human interaction to take off. If people didn't take advantage of that it is kinda on them imo. Not to remove anything from your point about forced PTO mixed-in.

[–] boeman@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Exactly, we don't have that problem where I work. Personally, I know I don't take enough time off, but that's my own fault. I also lost a lot of PTO over the years when I didn't take it.

[–] Princeali311@lemm.ee 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Unlimited PTO is a curse. All it does is scare you into not* actually using it (especially in my line of work where you have a billable hour requirement and every day you take off is just one less day you have to hit your goal).

[–] orbital@infosec.pub 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think you mean "scare you into not actually using it"

[–] Princeali311@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago
[–] eddietrax@dmv.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I hear you and everyone who has said the same thing. But that’s just not the case with me or anyone at my company. My boss just came back from a month long vacation. I’ve already taken 3 weeks and plan to take plenty more. We’re asked to deliver on our projects and we get stuff done. I’m not afraid of taking advantage of what’s promised to me which is outlined in the contract I signed. Again, your miles may vary.

[–] Princeali311@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

For us, if we're on vacation we won't get staffed on new matters so coming back from vacation, we're essentially spending 2-3 days either trying to get back into the matters we had to let go to go on vacation or searching for new matters. Or alternatively, we work on vacation to not miss a beat. It's not ideal haha.

[–] 4lan@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You represent an extremely small portion of this country.

Most people have to still go to work sick, spreading diseases and wearing their body down at the same time

Your stock values depend on it.

[–] metalsonic00@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The sad part is 2 weeks PTO / year is considered very generous in usa

[–] uis@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In post-Soviet countries 4 weeks PTO/year is bare minimum required by law

[–] Administrator@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

what does 'post-soviet' have to do with country laws?

[–] uis@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Because post-soviet countries tend to have strong labour laws because while they were soviet country they already had them.

[–] Administrator@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

i wonder from what statistic do you draw this from

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 5 points 1 year ago

"Unlimited" is for the employers' benefit, not the employees'.

[–] hedgehog@ttrpg.network 3 points 1 year ago

How much PTO do you and your coworkers actually take? Most of my friends and former coworkers I’ve known with unlimited PTO end up taking less than I do.

For comparison, I am also American and don’t have unlimited PTO, but this year I’ll be taking off a total of 7 weeks, not including sick time or holidays, though two of those weeks are company chosen. My sick time is in a separate bucket and is something like 15-25 days per year.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yep. I have 2 weeks PTO and one of those 2 weeks has to be used all together so you have a week off. That's the only way you can use one of those 2 weeks of PTO. 40 anytime hours and 40 hours you have to take all together. It's fucking stupid.