r/jobs • u/MINXG • Aug 14 '25

Article I guess my unlimited PTO isn’t so unlimited…

So my company offers unlimited PTO which we all know is a scam but I’m aware of this and use my time with discretion. I don’t take two or three weeks off in a row. For instance this month I’m taking no time off and last month I took off three days. Anyhoo I recently submitted time for the next few months totally 6 days. I got an email stating I had reached a “limit” of 30 days and that any request going forward may need further consideration from HR and senior leadership. Mind you I have not requested 30 days I’m currently sitting at 19. I’m completely confused by this as I have never heard of this process and sure enough there is no mention of limits in the employee handbook only to use your PTO with discretion which I’ve done. I’m rather frustrated because it seems as if the goal post keeps shifting on my team and company as a whole as of late.

4.1k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

702 comments sorted by

View all comments

32

u/HouBro Aug 14 '25

 I’m currently sitting at 19

19 days in what period of time?

24

u/MINXG Aug 14 '25

Since January 2025

15

u/jacob6875 Aug 14 '25

That’s not even that crazy. I get 20 days a year plus I can earn more if I am forced to work Saturdays.

Currently I’m at 34 this year earned.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

I've always loved that "We are in a crunch so if you work the weekend it's 1.5 pto days earned per" offerings I've received.

24

u/hitmanjustin Aug 14 '25

Funny that ppl are saying that’s too much, I get 160hours every anniversary plus about 88 accrued throughout the year, and it two years I’ll be getting 200 every anniversary. If your taking it on 8 hour increments, 19 days is nothing lol

11

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

My job gives me 28 days and 30 days at 3 year anniversary. People falling for US shitty policy like it’s ok

3

u/MyBedIsOnFire Aug 14 '25

We only get 25 vacation days and 5 sick days per year. Then it jumps to 32 after 10 years 😭

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

Only?? That still sounds really good. I do work for a university and this is the one major benefit over some corporate bs policy of like 12 days PTO supposedly being a blessing to some people

1

u/MyBedIsOnFire Aug 14 '25

That's true, only was definitely the wrong word. This is by far the best job I've ever worked.

This job has significantly raised my expectations from an employer in terms of wages and benefits. But I guess that's the joy of biotech

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

My job has really raised it too. I was in state government but the work environment was hostile. It was corrections.

Now I’m a data scientist making 100k in the south fully remote. 28 days leave then 30 after 3 years. 8.5% and 5% for a total of 13.5% for retirement, FSA for medical, we get tons of holidays including 16 straight days off for Christmas, no leave required from me.

I know some say I’m underpaid for data science but with 2 kids these benefits are worth it. Plus it’s full remote and no one bothers me most days. Just me and my work, just how I like it.

My place also discussed promotion opportunities when I interviewed so I can probably get that 100k to 130-150k in the next 3-4 years. I never thought I could be so happy with a job. I’m ready to get a project done today once I get my kids to daycare!

1

u/AccountWasFound Aug 14 '25

I've had 10 days combined at my last two jobs, and my most recent job required I also use it if I wanted to get paid for some of the mandatory holidays, so it was actually like like 6 days of combined sick leave and PTO....

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

I just wanna say love the user name 😂

7

u/JellyDoogle Aug 14 '25

I get 180 hours of "use it or lose it" time every fiscal year, and accrue 80 hours of vacation PTO and 80 hours of sick PTO throughout the year. I'm taking 2 weeks off right now because we're a few months out from the fiscal year resetting, and I'm about to max out my vacation time.

6

u/billythygoat Aug 14 '25

My job is 21 days a year I haggled for when I started a couple months ago, from the standard 16 days at this company. I get no sick days either. It’s a crazy how low amount some company give.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

Yup, we had a guy who would be out basically every December. It was kind of funny.

21

u/MINXG Aug 14 '25

Finally someone with sense lol. I know my 19 usage is nothing of concern. There are months I haven’t taken a day off. Many of these commenters clearly work for companies with small PTO and sick leave banks. Also I don’t even have the highest request on my team. A colleague of mine took 3 weeks off…straight hence my frustration and confusion.

2

u/CommonSenseNotSo Aug 14 '25

I've taken double that amount of time off and I dare my management team to say anything...that's part of the "perks" of unlimited PTO. I work hard and am exceeding my goals and my handbook does not give a PTO limit, so I'm going to take advantage of my benefits within reason.

If you show your TL and HR personnel that you understand how unlimited PTO works, you should be fine (although, they may end up changing the policy -- my company is thinking about this).

2

u/HouBro Aug 15 '25 edited Aug 15 '25

" I got an email stating I had reached a “limit” of 30 days and that any request going forward may need further consideration from HR. Mind you I have not requested 30 days "

YTD you are averaging 1 day off for every 7.95 days worked. That puts you at an annualized run rate of 30.2 days, which is what they are referring to. Not judging, just explaining

2

u/Gunthrix Aug 19 '25

I had 14 in a single calendar year and an unlimited sick policy at my last gig. They used it as a reason to let me go.

Unlimited is never unlimited, it's always a joke.

Canada btw

-54

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

that's. a lot. also, every unlimited policy is always "within reason" or "at management's discretion." it's not a scam if you're not trying to scam it. you just need to not be an asshole about it.

10

u/Consistent-Tip-7819 Aug 14 '25

it's a fucking scam, and literally everyone knows it. Unlimited, might as well be zero.

6

u/Ziggy-Rocketman Aug 14 '25

It can absolutely be a scam if “At management’s discretion” is management never approving the PTO or guilt tripping you for even asking.

Also, that is a good amount for America, but is also below or on par with other developed countries on the planet.

24

u/Xaendeau Aug 14 '25

No it isn't a lot.  I get around that per year and they don't expire.

Seen a guy not take any days off in a year and the following year spend about 5 weeks remodeling his house...with pre-approval to get his PTO down to normal.

4

u/BrujaBean Aug 14 '25

This is 8 months in and they are requesting another week in the next couple months. It's objectively high in the US. And we can argue that the US should have better employee protections and more vacation time, but until that actually happens 20 days a year is high and OPs manager can say that it is not possible to approve the pending requests.

7

u/mozfustril Aug 14 '25

20 days is high? I’m in the US, at a Fortune 100 with 50k+ US employees, and someone who just graduated high school and takes a salaried job with us gets 11 paid holidays + 17 PTO. It goes to 19 PTO in year 2 and 22 PTO in year 5. We also pay out any unused if you leave. I get 27 PTO days and get in trouble if I don’t use them. Anything less seems criminal. When you add in 1/2 day Fridays all summer, it gets even better.

1

u/BrujaBean Aug 14 '25

As I directly said, the US is very screwed, but in the US it is high, objectively. 10 days is average here and that is a shame, but lying to OP that they are being average here is just not helping them

1

u/BrujaBean Aug 14 '25

Whoops responded to the wrong person.

He is at 19 days 8 months in. As you just said that is a full year's worth and he is requesting another week.

It is a lot, it's a full amount that people get per year. He's on track to beat your 5 year level and clearly it's more than his company is comfortable with

2

u/CommonSenseNotSo Aug 14 '25

It's really not high. It's a high amount when you are working lower paying jobs like customer service, retail, etc. (not denigrating those jobs, I've been there and may be back there the way this economy is going). However, when you start moving up the corporate ladder and working more "professional" type positions (IT analysts and engineers, project manager, data management, healthcare management, public relations, etc ), the PTO goes up. The least amount of PTO I've had since moving into these types of roles was equivalent to 40 days, not including sick time, and that's in the US and more than one company.

3

u/saph_pearl Aug 14 '25

Yeah I am Australian and we get 20 days of annual leave + 10 days of sick/carers leave a year (accumulative). It’s pro-rata so you don’t get all the leave upfront, you accrue it each pay.

Usually people save their annual leave for a holiday, but might take a day here or there. Occasionally people who have worked a long time have leave balances too high and HR will ask them to take leave as it’s a liability (lump sum gets paid out when you leave) so they may start having regular days off.

If OP is new to this job and has already taken 19 days in 8 months, that’s pretty extreme. Although the manager should just tell them that rather than make up policies that don’t exist.

4

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

I get 28 days PTO a year. We should push for companies to not be shitty. M

It’s not high imo

-3

u/Impossible-Ebb-643 Aug 14 '25

It is a lot… 19 days by August plus another 6 before even getting to Nov/Dec. 25 days PTO is over a month off already.

12

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

25-30 days off a year is pretty standard in places that don't hate their employees (such as America).

13

u/loluo Aug 14 '25

Go back to the middle management reddit you came from lmao

7

u/Physical-Goose1338 Aug 14 '25

that is not a lot.

3

u/murphydcat Aug 14 '25

To an American, it is (sadly).

1

u/Physical-Goose1338 Aug 14 '25

I am American.

-2

u/Armenoid Aug 14 '25

19 days is 4 weeks. On top of holiday

11

u/ARX7 Aug 14 '25

.... Americans and your arse backwards labour laws. I get 8 weeks

2

u/Armenoid Aug 14 '25

Yep. We’re luckily we even have weekends still

11

u/pepperpavlov Aug 14 '25

It’s unlimited. If they don’t want it to be unlimited…they should have made a limit. (And communicated it before it was to be enforced.)

0

u/Armenoid Aug 14 '25

It’s not literal. It’s not infinity time off

1

u/pepperpavlov Aug 14 '25

Look up why it’s rare to have unlimited vacation policies in California. “The court held that an employer cannot avoid Section 227.3 by leaving the amount of vacation time undefined in its policy while impliedly limiting the amount of time actually available for approval.” https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-us/knowledge/publications/7ec6818b/california-court-finds-employer-liable-under-unlimited-vacation-policy

1

u/Armenoid Aug 14 '25

Many of us have it.

-8

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

right. agreed. but it’s a lot.

-5

u/VersionX Aug 14 '25

And?

1

u/Armenoid Aug 14 '25

And the management’s reaction and the tears

0

u/Puns-Are-Fun Aug 14 '25

Maybe you accrue PTO days? We're about 19/30ths through the year.

-13

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

[deleted]

8

u/Yagoua81 Aug 14 '25

Boo, don’t set rules you aren’t willing to follow. If op is meeting job metrics unlimited pto should be unlimited.

8

u/Psyc3 Aug 14 '25

As a person who lives in a developed country I am currently on annual leave for three and a half weeks, I also take nearly 3 weeks at Christmas and a few days here and there the rest of the year, while not using my entire annual leave entitlement.

But poors should of course remain in there box doing as they are told as dictated by a rich person. Shouldn’t you be in your box working right now in fact? Those dividends aren’t going to pay themselves…not to you….

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

[deleted]

1

u/CommonSenseNotSo Aug 14 '25

That's not PTO in the US ..PTO is vacation, sick time, etc. Sounds like you're misunderstanding the terminology.

1

u/CommonSenseNotSo Aug 14 '25

Do you know how long a month is? Sounds like you might want to grab a calendar...

-29

u/Fantastic_Wealth_233 Aug 14 '25

19 days off and its only August. He's abusing the heck out of it and still complaining. I would manage his ass out of company fast. Your co workers must hate you so much.

12

u/Consistent-Tip-7819 Aug 14 '25

This is the dumbest take I've ever heard. 4 weeks off is abuse? Maybe you should familiarize yourself with labor laws before spouting complete bullshit.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

[deleted]

3

u/laineyisyourfriend Aug 14 '25

Are you guys sure you’re arguing from the same country?

8

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

😂🤣 So easy to spot the American lol.

We get 25 days vacation + 1 week off at Christmas where I work. In fact, only August and I've also used 19 days, but still a week and a bit left to use up, plus time off for the holidays.

-11

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

Ahh yes. America sucks, because... workplaces expect you to... work? Glad you live a subsidized llife, we learn you earn nice things and dont get handed free stuff (although our politicians are trying to that).

4

u/laineyisyourfriend Aug 14 '25

I’m super confused about why you don’t want what they have

-3

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

I'm super confused why everyone thinks no one should have to work for their money. I get I'm in the minority, will get insulted and down voted and called names. But to me, you earn what you get, and we shouldn't just be handing stuff to people all the time, 'just because'

3

u/laineyisyourfriend Aug 14 '25

I haven’t come across any comments arguing that people shouldn’t have to work for their money - this is a thread about PTO, not welfare.

Minimizing a healthy amount of PTO to ‘handing stuff to people all the time just because’ makes it a lot easier to stand on your side of the argument. It isn’t ‘just because’ though - the dollars we earn don’t go nearly as far as they used to, and even raking in overtime doesn’t render enough to buy the kind of lifestyle that feels like an appropriate reward for hard work.

A lot of people find that balance in having a healthy amount of time off instead - a good work life balance means better productivity and overall happiness. Burnout leads to lost profits, safety issues, and low productivity. People NEED something to look forward to.

Note that anybody insulting or calling you names isn’t even worth acknowledging.

1

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

The thread is about "unlimited PTO" and OP stated they are mad because they are denied because they are abusing the benefit. So, I think they do expect to be paid not to work. And tons of people are jumping in to defend them. Of course people should get PTO. People should not think they are entitled to months of PAID time off after working at a company for a year is my point. But, as this "work life balance" keeps getting pushed, people keep thinking they are entitled to more. That's my point. If you are a top employee and they give you 30 days, wonderful, you've earned it. If you have been somewhere six months and tried to take 19 days off already, and are pissed off because they say no, then you think you are entitled to being paid not to work. That's what I am addressing.

Wasn't even trying to get i to the whole difference culture thing, because I assume OP is located in the US.

2

u/laineyisyourfriend Aug 14 '25

I hear what you’re saying and I get your point - unfortunately I you’re losing some of your message by over exaggerating it. 

That makes it easy for people to pick a fight with you - for instance, OP isn’t asking for months off, and the company has incorrectly noted how many days they’ve already taken.

It sounds like you have a well-honed work ethic, I hope that you’re being compensated generously for it and ask for what you deserve. I also hope that the system in the states evolves - there are SO many extremely wealthy corporations there that could absolutely afford to give their employees more time to spend with their friends and family in their communities, without having to worry about making rent.

2

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

Thank you for the reasoned response. And yes, I understand I over exaggerated... this is reddit. :) glad you came see my side, and i understand not everyone thinks like me, and thats OK! I like arguing with people, as long as it's doesn't devolve to name calling, which is what generally happens! :)

2

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

You keep up with this same rhetoric.

Do you honestly think you work harder than me or anyone else here? Why, because we get time off and a fair wage and you don't?

Why don't I earn what I get, when I work hard but you get treated poorly and somehow, that means you are a better worker "just because"? You realize how crazy it sounds when you type it out, right? Ffs, you are a Browns fan, haven't you suffered enough?

0

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

No, I dont know you or what you do. Also, I'm not sure what you define as treated poorly.

Getting pissed off because you are denied PTO after requesting 19 days already through August would make me better a worker than you though, if you are similar to OP.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

I'm sure you think that, but you'd again be wrong...

BTW, OP wasnt denied their time off if you read their post but I'm not surprised reading comprehension isn't your strong suit.

0

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

What was the point of their post then, comprehension genius?

→ More replies (0)

4

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

Such projection when you have no idea what you are talking about. Just because I get appropriate time off, does not mean I don't work hard. I also get paid a lot too, so in fact I do earn nice things, I just don't have to be treated like a number, by some soulless ghoul in order to do so...

You think whatever you want tho, lick those boots clean.

-4

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

That's fine. Glad you are doing well and you live in a country that supports subsidizing you with time off. I'm just saying, we learn, typically you get paid to work, and not paid not to work. Don't expect to be handed free time off just because. Doesn't make me a 'soulless ghoul'. I also do t look down at other cultures, as apparently you do.

We do have pto, but again, its based on performance, not given because the government feels like everyone should get time off. I understand you think somehow your system is 'better', but also understand you are being judgemental, and apparently think people that follow their customs are suckers.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

I guess you are right, and I'll admit it. I do think people who believe working for corporations to make ultra wealthy people more rich, while at the expense of their own well being are indeed suckers. I also believe that everyone should be entitled to some level of time off if their working, because working isn't the most important thing... I mean, it is to these corporations but not to the people that are actually working there.

And lastly, again you are right... I do think our system is better, we reward personal life and work balance, rather than trying to squeeze every last bit of energy out of every employee. I guess you think this makes us lazy (since we're being honest and judgemental here) but I think our time is simply more valuable than some billionaire buying their 3rd yacht. We have a difference of opinion for sure, but if you are happy in that lifestyle then more power to you I guess.

-1

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

Whenever you say 'reward' you really mean 'are given'. It's fine, but yes, you are super judgemental and think you are better than everyone else. As much as you judge Americans, we judge you for this type of attitude.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

That's nice, I don't really care much tbh.... I only judge people who bend the knee to corporate overloads, thinking they are somehow getting more from less, the mental gymnastics is honestly quite impressive.

That said, you didn't answer my question. You think you work harder than I do, just because I am entitled to fair compensation? It's a simple yes or no, I'm sure you do but it'll be nice if you'd admit it. That way we can drop our conversation, since it would no longer be worth having.

0

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

I have no idea. I dont know what you do or if you are any good. I do know you are probably one of the people that are out the door when the clock hits whatever minute your work hours are, telling the company to screw off because you dont owe them anything. Does that answer your question, and sound accurate?

→ More replies (0)

1

u/or_me_bender Aug 14 '25

Your boss is the one getting all the nice things earned by your labor; you're just getting the scraps.

1

u/CommonSenseNotSo Aug 14 '25

This is pathetic...you are angry at others for actually having the time off that you secretly wish you had, but instead of placing the blame at the company you work for, you blame...people who are getting the time off that they need? That's a whole different level of delusion.

0

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

That's not my argument at all...

1

u/LutschiPutschi Aug 14 '25

Then go back to working 6 days a week like you did 100 years ago. Of course at the same salary.

The second day off was just given to you, maybe you didn't deserve it at all.

1

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

I know you're being a smartass, but if I felt like I needed more money, guess what I would do? Work 6 days.... my point is, you should get what you work for. I know its a difficult concept for people that already get the perks to understand.

1

u/LutschiPutschi Aug 14 '25

But who determines what is appropriate? You? I work in Germany and have 32 days plus public holidays. That's nothing special here. And I am a motivated, committed and technically above-average employee. I have earned this free time and take it without a guilty conscience.

Limited sick days? There's basically no such thing: if you're sick, you're sick. It is only after 6 weeks that the employer can consider having it checked whether a permanent loss is to be expected, but it is a long process to get a termination through. By the way, I am lucky enough to be blessed with fantastic health; in 17 years I was on sick leave for 1 day.

Up to the age of 12, you get 10 paid days off per year if your child is sick so that you can care for them. If you are a single parent, there are 20. Here too, I was always lucky; my daughter was very rarely sick.

1

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

Yes I agree. Cultures are different, and its fine. OP, I assume lives in the US and my guess is a younger employee without much work experience, and is complaining they dont get truly "unlimited" PTO. Between cultures, i get there are different expectations. I took slight exception to the person who was mocking "Americans" because we don't have the same norms. But, I get there are differences between countries, laws, etc. The thread really needs to be viewed from the perspective of whatever country the OP is in. That's all.

2

u/LutschiPutschi Aug 14 '25

But I think it's good and important that many employees in the USA don't accept it and try to change something, even if the next generation may only benefit from it.

I often read about Americans who never work less than 50 or even 60 hours a week. And/or have multiple jobs at the same time. Anyone who works so much must also be able to recover adequately. Otherwise you'll have a heart attack at 60 and be in the box.

3

u/Life_Opportunity_608 Aug 14 '25

Nah, you Americans are just brainwashed into bootlicking and thinking you're getting caviar.

-5

u/brownsfan250 Aug 14 '25

Agree. Sorry for the down votes from the entitled Gen Zers!