Our PTO Problem

^{Weekly Trivia}

^{Summer Vibes}

June, July and August are meant for sunshine, travel, summer camps, lemonade, beaches, and some time away from the office.

However, you may be surprised by most PTO statistics and trends.

Traditional vs. Unlimited

It’s not a requirement to offer PTO, but most 9-5 roles include at least 15 vacation days. Plenty of studies and arguments suggest these traditional policies aren’t enough.

So you won’t be surprised that Silicon Valley began to challenge the norm and adopt an unlimited PTO strategy.

Sounds great, right?

Trivia Answer: 46% take less time than their offered

Unlimited Paid Time Off (UPTO)

UPTO is a great concept, but most studies suggest it leads to taking less time off…and maybe that’s the point.

It removes employee guardrails and forces managers to handle requests on a case by case basis.

I love how this CEO breaks it down in their viral LinkedIn post.

It’s An American Problem

The ultimate problem here is our hustle culture.

A 2023 Pew Research Survey shared many of the reasons why we don’t use our PTO.

• 52% say the don’t feel like they need it

• 53% report working while on vacation

• 49% are concerned about falling behind at work

• 43% don’t want to give extra work to their peers

• Nearly 25% believe it puts them at risk to lose their job

What This Means For You

Let this blog post be a gentle reminder that we’re halfway through the year, make sure you schedule those remaining PTO days.

It’s part of your compensation. You’ve earned and deserve it.

My Key Takeaway

I’ve met thousands of young families through Habits.

Many of them experience the same burnout and hesitation to take time off. Working with a financial advisor enables you, your spouse and family to separate life from work.

Thanks for reading, Habits fam. See you back here next week for more.

-JB

Got feedback? Hit reply and tell me what you think…I’m always looking to level up.