Should You Ever Leave PTO or Sick Days Unused?

Paid time off (PTO) can be a major benefit for professionals to prioritize their well-being and invest in their longevity within an organization. Using PTO and sick leave may help reduce risk of burn out or contemplating a career move too soon. However, there might be reasons for you to consider refraining from PTO or only using some of the days offered. Some organizations allow you to accrue days off and compensate you for not using them during the year.

By Timothy Mably

If you receive paid time off and sick days from your employer, you might wonder if you should use some of them, all of them, or none of them. Even though many companies offer an average of 10 PTO days per year, employees don’t always take advantage of their benefits. Only 21% of millennial professionals use around 10-19 days of PTO throughout the year.

Many people assume that not utilizing time off helps prove to a boss that they deserve a promotion. However, experienced professionals recommend taking advantage of PTO, whether you’re sick, on the edge of burnout, or just need a vacation. PTO can also account for bereavement leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, medical leave, and federal holidays among other reasons.?

Sixty-eight percent of people who are encouraged to take vacation time at their jobs are reported to be happier than those who don’t take PTO. Career coach Will Rippetoe says, “It is critical that human beings take breaks to recharge, create memories, and come back to their work with a fresh perspective.” He believes that PTO is crucial for a person’s longevity in a position.

Ask Leadership Questions About PTO

Rippetoe recommends reflecting on how your boss and company leadership utilizes their own PTO to know how to spend yours. He explains, “For example, let’s say a company gives you four weeks of PTO per year, but your boss, director, and VP all only take one week of vacation per year. In this instance, there is clearly a cultural precedent being set of how much vacation is ‘appropriate’ to use. Personally, I would have a candid conversation with my manager and use all four weeks regardless.”

When you are offered a job, consider asking your potential manager about how many days they take off each year so you can enter your position with a general idea. He suggests proceeding with caution if you’re considering something that’s against the cultural grain of the organization.

Leadership within many companies is likely to promote PTO and encourage workers to use it when needed, whether for physical health, mental health, or simply for fun. Vice President of Enterprise Diversity at Hallmark Cards, Kristen Harris, says, “I’m a firm believer that PTO should be used, regularly and whenever possible. Honestly, we all need time away to decompress and recharge. It is also my intention to lead by example.”

With research indicating that workers who use PTO have lower stress, better mental health, improved work/life balance, and overall improved productivity, many employers are glad to provide time off. Harris says, “For me, stepping away from work during the past few years of the pandemic gave me an opportunity to really enjoy the time at home with my family and our new puppy.”

If you view time away from the workplace as not being beneficial for your career, Harris provides an example of the contrary. She shares about her experience of time off, saying, “I even took a leap of faith and stepped into a new role that allowed more flexibility around my work schedule. I reinvented myself to better align my career with my purpose.”

She makes an important distinction between traveling for work compared to a personal vacation. Harris elaborates, “I have to distinguish between the two, so I’ve gotten better at not checking email or taking any meetings while I’m on vacation. It is important for me to model this behavior, so my colleagues feel empowered to do the same, or at least so they understand and respect the boundary that I’ve set for myself.”

Consider PTO Policies

Before taking PTO and making plans, consider the PTO policies of your employer and the state you are located in. Some companies do not allow PTO days to roll over into the next calendar year. You might prefer to bank days off, but some organizations don’t make that possible.

Every company can operate differently in how they give out PTO. Your organization will either have an accrual cap, which limits the amount of time that employees can earn to take off, accrual rollover which allows for unused PTO to be used the following year, or PTO which expires within a year.

If your company offers unlimited PTO, it means that you aren’t able to accrue PTO days. You will never receive a payment for unused days upon leaving a company with unlimited PTO. Rippetoe says, “If you are paid out for unused days, this amount will usually be taxed quite heavily. If you’re relying on this payment, do your research or talk to a CPA beforehand to get an accurate idea of how much this amount will be post-taxes.”

He also warns of specific state policies, saying, “Be aware of state policies, as some require that companies pay you for any unused PTO days you’ve accrued. If you plan on quitting or leaving your company, you might want or be relying on this payment.”

This research process will largely be up to you as PTO is ultimately a personal decision only you can make. Certain events will allow you to take more time off as Rippetoe emphasizes regarding honeymoons. He says, “If you haven’t gone on your honeymoon yet, take as much PTO as possible whenever that time comes for you. It’s the only time in your career where no one will question you for taking two or more weeks off in a row.”

Consider Your Well-being

Consider your well-being as you choose how much PTO to use. Regardless if you are compensated for unused days off or a longer vacation feels more appealing down the road with accrued PTO, think about how you feel in the current season.

Harris calls out the weight of guilt that might come with taking time off. She says, “Sometimes there’s a feeling of guilt that you can’t step away. Or you may feel pressure to make yourself available 24/7 so that it’s not perceived that you are letting down the team or your customers. Resist that urge.” If you prepare for days spent away from the workplace, your coworkers are likely to support your choice. “Give yourself the opportunity to fully enjoy your time away, you may be surprised by the benefits it will bring you.”

After assessing your company and state’s policies regarding PTO and sick days, they might still be worth utilizing despite any pros to leaving them unused. Rippetoe echoes this sentiment. “Over the long-term, using as much of your PTO as possible will energize you, make you happier, and make you a better employee.”

Top Takeaways

Are PTO and sick days worth using?

• Sixty-eight percent of people who are encouraged to take vacation time at their jobs are reported to be happier than those who don’t take PTO.
• When you are offered a job, consider asking your potential manager about how many days they take off each year so you can enter your position with a general idea.
• Leadership within many companies is likely to promote PTO and encourage workers to use it when needed, whether for physical health, mental health, or simply for fun.
• Before taking PTO and making plans, consider the PTO policies of your employer and the state you are located in.
• Your organization will either have an accrual cap, which limits the amount of time that employees can earn to take off, accrual rollover which allows for unused PTO to be used the following year, or PTO which expires within a year.
• You will never receive a payment for unused days upon leaving a company with unlimited PTO.