Kosta_Konfucius

Sales Rep

Abusing Unlimited PTO

I currently work somewhere with unlimited PTO and manager said she would approve everything as long as I am not abusing it. what is everyone's definition of abusing PTO?

I have taken 18 days off this year total and I am starting to get push back from my manager. I am at my number but feel like she thinks I am taking too much time off.

☁️ Software Tech

32 comments

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PleaseAdvise

Executive

Account Executive

That’s the thing about ‘unlimited’ PTO. Is it truly unlimited….
The fact that you’re at your number is great (congrats!). So, it’s odd that your manager is giving you push back.
I’d recommend having a straight up conversation with your manager. Consider asking her what ‘abusing’ unlimited PTO looks like in her eyes, and be clear that you want to take the time you need mentally, but also want to make sure that you’re not crossing any lines. How she answers should be enlightening.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I agree. I think asking her to clarify is the best approach here.

FormerStartupJobHopper

Tycoon

I mean, if you're at your number I think that's reasonable if it's been over the course of the entire year. Or has it been more recent? We have 20 days of PTO until 5 years of service. So I think you're probably in the sweet spot unless you started in September or something.

Are you possibly getting pushback because it's the end of the year? Taking time off this week is not gonna be kosher in almost any sales org.

This is why "unlimited PTO" sucks. I consider it a con, not a pro. I've written here once how I had a gig for 6 months with "unlimited PTO" and took BLACK FRIDAY off, and that was it, and got significant pushback. Anyway, good luck.

Varro36

Unlimited PTO is a cop out to lower expenses for the company.

DrSmallprint

Politicker

Account Executive

More specifically, it allows companies to avoid having to "pay out" remaining pto in states like CA when the employee leave.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Over what time period? That’s more than three weeks - over a full year, might not be that much, but if it’s been over a few months, that could change things.
To all the Europeans on the site: yes, Americans are expected to, and do, work far too much. It’s sad.

ExtremeVibeChecker44

Arsonist

Inside Sales

Unlimited PTO truly is some bullshit

Corpslovechild

Politicker

Inbound Sales Manager

Unlimited PTO is a joke. It's "unlimited" but you can't use it.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

What's the point of unlimited if it's not...unlimited?

If you're at your number, doing all that is asked of you, and even helping others...then take as many days as you damn well please. If they feel you are abusing the benefit given to you by HR, then ask them what they define as abuse.

Annonny

Big Shot

Account Executive

I feel like 18 days is kinda a lot..but I think it also depends on how long you have been with your company..

Upper_Class_SaaS

Politicker

Account Executive

"Unlimited PTO" biggest tech catfish there is

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

if you're at your number how could they ever give you a hard time? What's their reasoning?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

I have unlimited PTO as well and the funny thing is I take less time off with Unlimited than when I had the days accrued. I would 100% ask your manager to define what abusing it is. Also I've always felt that if you are performing well then management will never think twice about the PTO requests that you make

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Taking less time is by design. The company gets to erase the overhead of accrued PTO hours while simultaneously making it look as though the policy is very generous to those salaried employees on the other end of it. As I'm sure we all know too well, the reality is that taking any significant or meaningful block of time off is a real challenge for sales at any company, and it's extremely challenging with so-called "unlimited" PTO. Most of us, when not confronted with "you have 226 hours of accrued PTO" in our work app simply forget we haven't been taking sufficient time off to recharge.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

That is correct

saasibee

Opinionated

Enterprise Rep

I had unlimited PTO at a job and ended up taking 6 days all year because I was WFH so I just worked where I went since I didn't have days that I had to use. Not great!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Remote work ha also eliminated the need to take a full day to do 1 task. For example I had to go get an oil change for my wifes car and I didn’t need to take a day to go do it. Also applies for dr appointment and other stuff where you used to take a day instead of block off 3 hrs.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Unlimited doesn't have a number.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

True, but tell that to management.

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

Its end of year of course you will get pushback. Many Sales org's don't allow PTO last month of year IME.

emerge.life

Valued Contributor

Field Sales Development Executive

Supposedly unlimited PTO is a trap.

That being said, I would ask my manager why she thinks it's abuse, how is productivity affected by this and why does she give pushback.

Mobi85

Politicker

Regional Sales Manager

Without understanding the time frame that the 18 days have been taken can’t really say one way or another. If you said F it and have taken off from thanksgiving until now, good for you but could also understand the pushback from management. If it is 18 days over a year, tell them to kiss you where the sun doesn’t shine.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

That's not abusing it at all. Especially since you get your work done. Your manager doesn't understand what "unlimited" means.

justatopproducer

Politicker

VP OF SALES -US

18 days is below the average offered. I’ve been in your sutaution and learned its better to ask for a certain amount. Plus many companies pay out whats left at thr end of the year and average out your salary+commissions average to equal an hourly amount. Imo thats the way to do it. But yes, have a convo with gour manager and be frank. GOOD LUCK!

GreenSide

Politicker

Sales manager

Unlimited PTO is an HR strategy to save money so they don’t have to pay out unused days.
To your question though, it’s going to be subjective based on your chain of command. My first job was unlimited but my manager said 2 weeks seemed appropriate. Others truly meant unlimited.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Part of the consideration is quota and path to target for most companies. If you've made your number, you're going to get significantly less pushback than someone who is not close enough or doesn't have line of sight to the number. It's such a balancing act in sales.

SalesPharaoh

Big Shot

Senior Account Executive

Literally no one i know in an unlimited PTO org has had their fair share of the leaves like people with dedicated holiday number

Arch

Executive

Account Executive

Hit quota and take as many days as you want

IYNFYL

Politicker

Enterprise SaaS AE

Unlimited PTO and sales is always frowned on from my experience

NotCreativeEnough

Big Shot

Professional Day Ruiner

My manager’s policy is as long as I’m at my number I can work 2 days a week for all he cares

Goomba

Opinionated

Director

Abusing unlimited PTO is generally what companies that offer it do. They make you feel like you can't take time off. 18 days is shit. You should be allowed 30+ easy.

Diablo

Politicker

-1

Sr. AE

Taking 18 days once a while is okay but if you keep taking it very often then it can be termed as abusing the benefits.

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Kosta_Konfucius

Abusing Unlimited PTO

32 comments

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