Question for Fairygodboss' Season of Sharing: Are unlimited vacation days actually unlimited?

36 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 8,2021 at 8:19PM UTC

   100% depends on the company. Some truly mean it as long as employees don't abuse it and others make it difficult. I would look at company reviews on sites like Glassdoor. What are previous employees or current employees saying about it?

2. 60isthenew40November 8,2021 at 8:57PM UTC

   Personally, I have some misgivings about Unlimited PTO. There are a lot of issues, in my mind, such as: employees who abuse it and then burden those who don't with carrying more of the workload...employees who feel like they can't leave their job for more than a day or two without it falling apart, so they don't take enough vacation to circumvent burn-out...employers who dangle then UPTO as a carrot, but then beat their employees with a stick when they try and take advantage of it.

   In my last company, there used to be UPTO when I first started, but then after a couple of years, the boss changed his mind because he felt people were taking advantage of it. I was the other type of person - I would never take a vacation because I was working on so many projects that I felt guilty if I left them - my job was one-of-a-kind in the company, so it wasn't like someone else could take over when I was out.

   However, I did like the UPTO when we had it because there was never an issue of taking personal time if something came up (doctor's appointment, parent-teacher meeting, etc.) and people didn't worry about cutting into their vacation time if they had trips planned.

   I think the better option is to have a mandatory vacation policy where employees must take X days off each year. This ensures equity in time off and prevents people from killing themselves for the company.

3. AnonymousNovember 9,2021 at 3:18PM UTC

   thanks for sharing - I've also had mixed experiences in the past and it's nice to hear other's as well

4. NataliaNovember 8,2021 at 9:24PM UTC

   I've heard that they make you feel guilty when you try to take a lot or make it difficult. Also, remember when you leave a company won't get paid out on any PTO you haven't taken.

5. AnonymousNovember 9,2021 at 3:18PM UTC

   very true....thanks!

6. Emmy BemmyNovember 8,2021 at 9:28PM UTC

   It often depends on both the company and the department. I think one way to suss out how it is managed, is to ask for the approval process for taking PTO (i.e. does it require sign-off by your manager, etc). My brother works someplace with "unlimited" PTO and it requires a VP signature if it goes beyond 4 weeks. I've known others that have worked in this environment and stated they could rarely take time off... good luck figuring this out before being hired :)

   A large reason companies have gotten rid of it is b/c of tracking difficulties (exempt employees don't often report it when they take it) AND the company needs to keep it on their balance sheet/pay it out when the employee leaves. This eliminates the burden of tracking/carrying the liability. It isn't a bad reason, but how it works is heavily dependent on management.

7. AnonymousNovember 8,2021 at 10:00PM UTC

   It doesn't mean "unlimited" because then when would you work, if taken to its logical conclusion? It means nobody is officially measuring so long as you are performing and delivering results.

8. AnonymousNovember 9,2021 at 1:18PM UTC

   Well I would ask what the average total vacation days used is. If they skim over that answer or say something like it varies...then you know that vacations are not encouraged.

9. AnonymousNovember 9,2021 at 3:19PM UTC

   great idea!!

10. Karen BurkeNovember 9,2021 at 1:31PM UTC

    How is it worded? Most of the companies that I have seen say "unlimited, mandatory minimum 2 weeks" or something similar. Look on websites like Glassdoor for reviews, or even connect with other employees on LinkedIn and have a "coffee chat" to learn more.

    Keep in mind that in general these policies will depend on you getting your work done so that the burden doesn't fall elsewhere, but I think for most of us that wouldn't be an issue.

11. Joycelyn M. SiameNovember 9,2021 at 1:52PM UTC

    From my past experience, when they say "unlimited", it usually means you can take of when you like, so far as all of your work is done and you have coverage, and not to exceed taking 2 weeks off at a time.

    You also have to be readily available if someone needs you in the office as well. You can't just take off, but miss all of the office meetings.

    Usually in places like this, it is difficult to take off all willy nilly. Most employers tend to offer this when most people in the office don't take that many vacations in the first place, or the employees are mature enough not to abuse it.

    Bottom line, don't abuse it, you will ruin it for everyone, and it could cost you your job. Make sure to read the employee handbook THOROUGHLY. There are usually some stipulations in place.

    I may be wrong, but this is solely based on my experience, and to be honest, I miss having that flexibility...

12. KellyW43November 9,2021 at 2:47PM UTC

    Our company is offering it next year as opposed to accrued time. If done correctly, it can save the company a lot of money and time due to people like me who suddenly remember they have vacation time they can't roll over and take it all at the end of the year.
    They are also giving us 2 weeks of unplanned days off.
    If a person doesn't abuse it, it can be a great resource for everyone.

13. AnonymousNovember 9,2021 at 3:45PM UTC

    In my experience, yes, it was unlimited - but the CEO had really worked to create an environment of trust and openness within the company (which he then later destroyed, but that's another story entirely).

    I asked him about it once, and he told me: "Look, I expect you to work hard. What I don't expect is for you to kill yourselves. I did a ton of research on it, and the research showed that generally, people who have unlimited vacation time and a flexible working environment don't necessarily take more vacation time, but they take *better* vacation time - meaning actual vacations, instead of spending parts of them answering email. That's what I'm after. I demand a lot from you guys, but I also recognize that you're adults, and if you need to take a break, you need a break. Also, if you have a sick kid, or parent, or dog, or whatever, or there's a snow day, you shouldn't be penalized for having to stay home."

    So, he agreed that of course there are people who will try to take advantage (and those people never really last long for other reasons), but for the most part people were really good about it. And, of course, there were parameters such as clearing it with your managers, and if it was longer than two weeks in a row, making sure your work load was covered, etc.

    I miss it, lol

14. TroyNovember 9,2021 at 4:07PM UTC

    Hey Anonymous, just echoing what everyone has shared, it’s real. My company is the same way, it was hard to believe and I notice I typically take about a month and 2 weeks a year and I love it. Just enjoy and track the days you actually take off, just in case. That’s what I do ?

15. AnonymousNovember 9,2021 at 7:51PM UTC

    thanks!

16. KathyNovember 9,2021 at 4:22PM UTC

    Unlimited vacation can be a double edged sword. It frees the company from having to pay people for vacation not taken if they quit or the company has a layoff unless a minimum amount of vacation is specified in the employee agreement.

17. Brigette WildsNovember 9,2021 at 5:50PM UTC

    I think you need to be reasonable in the number of days you request but I’ve been with two employers who meant it.

18. Lori SchmitzNovember 9,2021 at 10:12PM UTC

    Unlimited doesn't mean unlimited. When joining an organization (especially CA based); many companies will offer "unlimited PTO" so they don't have to accrue for it in their financials.
    A good rule of thumb for "unlimited" Is standard PTO offered by other organizations in your area and size. For Mid-Career onwards, 4 weeks a year is pretty standard. Some companies (mine); offer up to 4 weeks PTO accrued through the year; but 2 floating holidays and up to 10 sick days a year.
    If you plan to take a long vacation (2 weeks); be sure to socialize it with your boss, team and be thoughtful about taking time during "lulls" in the business.

19. Olivia WoolmanNovember 10,2021 at 1:01AM UTC

    Unlimited PTO usually comes with a disclaimer like “per manager approval based on business needs.” In this scenario, managers can deny PTO requests during busy periods. It might be beneficial to ask one of the interviewers about how they use their unlimited PTO to gauge how much time can actually be taken. Good luck!

20. AnonymousNovember 10,2021 at 1:30PM UTC

    Our company is switching this coming year to "unlimited" PTO. Their reasoning is that they want to attract experienced professionals from other companies, who may otherwise be turned off by losing their earned vacation as a new hire.
    But we have a lot of questions and not many real-life answers, for example:

    One concern is that long-term employees like me loose their earned PTO, so my question is, why should I stay? This may just as well backfire.
    We all know, the more complex your job is, the more difficult it is to actually step away already, so how will this work out in reality?
    One major difference is that we are getting sick time back, although I do not know how this will be handled in detail. So I guess legally it will not be PTO anymore, but vacation? Who will track this how and for what will they do with that data?
    Right now I work for a very good immediate management team, so personally I do not see a problem with being allowed to take time off, but I just need to look at some other departments and foresee problems. What if you have a workaholic manager?
    And another thought - right now if I quit I am entitled to a prorated payout of PTO I did not take. How will this work?

    I believe more and more companies will switch to this model, so it is probably a mute decision-making point.
    Companies are doing a lot of things to be more attractive to employees, but they may be 'subject to change'.

21. April GoodwinNovember 10,2021 at 1:39PM UTC

    I offer this at my law firm to salaried employees. It's unlimited but you still have to do your job and make sure your work is done. You just can't no call no show. You have to get approval, because yes, I'm the boss and I still get to say whether I need you to work on a particular day or not and I need to know if I can count on you.

    My company can't function if we have someone who takes off a month at a time or even takes off a week at a time every month or two. Frankly, if it could sustain that then that would mean your job isn't very important to the success of the company, so why do I keep you as an employee?

    The reason I have unlimited PTO isn't for some tax break or to get out of paying vacation time if someone quits. It's because I don't want to keep track of the random days off here and there. I employ professionals and I truly DGAF if they need to take those random days off as long as their work gets done. So it's not really for the long vacays, but more so they can still take a week off two or three times a year without also worrying about if they need to save PTO for those random days that pop up for whatever reason.

22. Lisa GuillNovember 10,2021 at 4:34PM UTC

    That's awesome! I have that, but sometimes it's so hard to leave as captain of the ship. That's my fault, though. Yes, I totally understand your views.

23. April GoodwinNovember 11,2021 at 2:30PM UTC

    I get it. I don't take hardly any days off, and if I do, I'm never really ever "off" (I've done everything from telephonic hearings to settling cases in the middle of Star Wars/Comic Con conventions lol). But that's the cost to be the boss.

24. Lisa GuillNovember 11,2021 at 9:37PM UTC

    Exactly. I am working even when off.
    You're correct, cost of being the boss. I have a very good job that's good to me.

25. AnonymousNovember 10,2021 at 9:14PM UTC

    Loved hearing this perspective, thanks!

26. Stephanie TrevinoNovember 10,2021 at 3:18PM UTC

    Most companies are still tracking your vacation time and will flag an employee if they take too much of the unlimited PTO and require justification from an employee or manager. I've seen this reported as high as the CFO level for watching the list!

27. AnonymousNovember 10,2021 at 3:51PM UTC

    If it's truly supported you actually do end up getting more time off with that policy.

    But many places offer it in paper but when you talk to the employees, they have had a real vacation in years. It's just not supported.

28. Cynthia Armistead NewmanNovember 11,2021 at 2:02AM UTC

    It truly is unlimited at my employer. As long as you get your work done and clear time in advance with your manager, you're good to go.

    I know that some companies that offer unlimited PTO actually require their employees to take X amount off every quarter or so. I think that's a fabulous idea!

29. KathyNovember 11,2021 at 5:05PM UTC

    Which companies 'require' people to take vacation.

30. Cynthia Armistead NewmanNovember 12,2021 at 12:03AM UTC

    I know people through a professional organization whose employers do so.

31. Lisa GuillNovember 12,2021 at 7:27PM UTC

    Nice!

32. Gigi DevanneyNovember 11,2021 at 2:26PM UTC

    IMO, no! In my situation your workload was never manageable enough that you could take more than at any other company. AND they don't owe you anything when you leave! I think it is a hideous (maybe genius?) HR idea that plays on the american work ethic and allows the company to mistreat the worker under the guide of a "perk."

33. KathyNovember 11,2021 at 5:00PM UTC

    Agree. I was working for a big corporate company, they changed their vacation policy to unlimited and then had a huge layoff a couple months later. They saved a huge amount of money because they didn't have to pay people for vacation days not taken. Caveat emptor.

34. Debbie VerebNovember 11,2021 at 9:27PM UTC

    We have unlimited PTO and we are super flexible with time off as long the work gets done. However, if we ever felt someone was abusing the policy we would address it accordingly.

35. MeredithNovember 12,2021 at 1:38PM UTC

    Most are usually super flexible, and as long as your work responsibilities are up to date and/or delegated you are good to go.

36. AnonymousNovember 12,2021 at 3:33PM UTC

    I previously worked for a company with unlimited paid time off and after I left the company, I realized that I had taken MAYBE 2 weeks off the entire year. That is fewer than I had ever taken off with more structured PTO policies. In our situation, there was so much work and there always needed to be coverage so taking time off was very difficult.

    At my current company, there are levels with unlimited PTO but I don't see anyone around me abusing it. We have a nice balance of work so it does allow for everyone to take the time off to refresh and not feel like being away from work is a no-no.