This is for our HR Benefits friends out there.

8 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 6,2026 at 7:52PM UTC

   They want to force you to drain all PTO. It's not hard to understand that dint care about the health of their staff. But I'm sure they say the opposite. They want everyone in the office regardless of health.

   I would only call in sick when you are sick and have the illegally deduct more days. You then have a legal claim.

2. AnonymousFebruary 6,2026 at 9:14PM UTC

   We can all make all kinds of guesses as to why - but we do not work at your firm and do not have your handbook/policies in hand.

   Generally, I kinda dislike the all-in-one bucket labeled PTO (paid time off) because what it leads to is people holding on to that for dear life rather than using it appropriately when they are sick (and I'm more referring to companies that have PTO only buckets).

3. AnonymousFebruary 7,2026 at 7:02PM UTC

   Every company is different. Some have separate sick and vacation buckets. Others use the all in one approach where it counts as PTO whether you're taking vacation, sick time, etc. Unfortunately, when companies offer flexible or unlimited sick time there is the potential for it to be abused and that's why many adopt the one bucket policy. I also agree and know from personal experience that people covet their precious PTO time and try to avoid taking sick days at all costs. I personally think that if the Covid pandemic taught us anything its that employees should be encouraged to stay home and away from others if they are sick and contagious and employers need to adopt more flexible work from home policies.

4. AnonymousFebruary 8,2026 at 12:51AM UTC

   Our large company used to have this same policy. Employee Forums kept voicing their (our) concerns, and they finally changed the policy. They added 3 sick days to our PTO banks. And we can access our ESL (extended sick leave) if ill for more than 3 days. It is a decent compromise. We even got to cash out our PTO and sick leave days at the end of each year if we were at max accrual. Employees were satisfied with this.

5. AnonymousFebruary 8,2026 at 6:16PM UTC

   If you have sick days and PTO they are separate and should be banked against usage as such. Definitely file a wage claim with your state if it is incorrectly used or processed and if the company chooses to not fix in your paycheck.

6. AnonymousFebruary 9,2026 at 3:38PM UTC

   When you have PTO and it is a bank of all your time off - it is used for sick/vacation, etc. If they have separate categories (vacation/sick/etc.) then it is not all the same. Every company has their own rules on how you have to use the time before you get paid. I think you need them to clarify for you their policy. Every one's policy is different

7. Tina MorenoFebruary 11,2026 at 2:27PM UTC

   First, take a look at your handbook. The answer is usually in how your time off is structured. If your company has one combined PTO/DTO bank, then technically all absences are treated the same anyway. If you have separate vacation and sick banks, the policy should clearly spell out how they’re meant to be used and in what order.

   I totally get the instinct to come in sick because you don’t want to burn vacation time. That’s human. But if you’re sick, you really should stay home and recover. Working from home while contagious doesn’t actually help you heal — it just keeps you working.

   Also, make sure you understand your state/local laws. For example, NYC has specific sick/safe leave requirements around accrual and use. Policies have to align with that.

   It may not be meant to feel punitive, but if it’s causing people to come in sick, that’s worth raising thoughtfully. Our health matters!

8. AnonymousFebruary 22,2026 at 1:13PM UTC

   Sounds like people used to abuse sick time. I've seen PTO banks structured all kinds of strange ways. Its a stupid way to punish everyone for the actions of others.