A lot of companies will tell you that one of the perks of working for them is a “generous PTO package” or some baloney like that. Let me explain: You could have a PTO package that gives you 1,000 hours of PTO per year, but it’s completely worthless if you can’t ever use any of it. Fortunately, there is an easy way to see if your company’s PTO policy is bullshit by answering a simple question:
If you want to use PTO time, do you have to work extra to make up for it?
If the answer to that question is “yes,” then your company’s PTO policy is bullshit.
In other words, if you want to take Thursday and Friday off, but in order to do so you have to put in your normal 40+ hours from Monday to Wednesday in order to “make up” for the days that you’ll be out, then that is bullshit. You’re really not doing any less work; in fact, your company is punishing you by forcing you to work longer hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If you were going to have to put in a normal workweek that week anyway, then why bother using (and losing) PTO at all?
Of course, if your company doesn’t require you to work extra when you want to use PTO, then your company’s PTO policy is legit and fair.
Here’s a summary of “Bullshit PTO Policies” vs. “Legit PTO Policies”:
Bullshit PTO Policy – have to work extra to make up for PTO
Hours worked:
Monday-Wednesday: 40
Thursday: 8 (PTO)
Friday: 8 (PTO)
—————
Total Hours Worked: 40
Total PTO Hours Used Up: 16
This is bullshit because you’re still working a full work week, but you’re losing PTO hours.
Legit PTO Policy – you do not have to work extra to make up for PTO
Hours worked:
Monday: 8
Tuesday: 8
Wednesday: 8
Thursday: 8 (PTO)
Friday: 8 (PTO)
—————
Total Hours Worked: 24
Total PTO Hours Used Up: 16
This is legit because your PTO was correctly used in lieu of you being at work.
Hopefully your company falls into the “legit” category.