HappyGilmore profile picture
HappyGilmore profile picture

HappyGilmore

Account Executive

Politicker
Executive
Catalyst
+7

Too much PTO?

For some context, I've taken just over 2 weeks of PTO this year thus far (6 were for my fiancé's presidents club, 5 were for our engagement), and told my manager yesterday I may have to take a day here in a couple of weeks for a friends bachelor party.


She then replies with telling me I've taken too much PTO, and if I'm there and just hanging out with the boys, then I should be sending emails. For a company that promotes "balance", this seems like the total opposite of that.


Have I taken too much PTO? Or is my manager just losing it for no reason?

🙏 Mental Wellness
✈️ Travel
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43 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
9
Sales Rep
Are you unlimited PTO because if accrued your manager can fuck off in my humble opinion.

As long you didnt ask for two weeks for a bach party you are not asking for too much time at all

How is your team quota %? Is your manager stressed?
HappyGilmore
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Unlimited PTO at our company, and asked for a day off for a bach party nothing crazy.

I know our team outlook isn't looking good quota wise, but think her stress could be coming from the higher ups since its the entire sales org that overall quota across the board isn't looking great.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
3
Sales Rep
Unfortunately this is way too common with unlimited PTO places, my last company was like this and was getting push back once our team number fell below 100% even though I was above quota

You arent abusing it and I think your manager is just stressed which will pass. Like would your manager actually want you to be responding to work emails after drinking at a bach party???!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
3
SaaS Eater
This is the problem with "unlimited PTO" Companies offer it as a way to keep vacation time off the balance sheet as a liability but in reality unlimited PTO means you feel guilty for taking much at all. We have a minimum time off policy that coincides with our unlimited PTO that requires everyone to take at least 3 weeks off per year. Im a big fan of this because it helps avoid the exact situation OP is outlining.

In relation to this situation, your manager can take a hike. if you were already at like 30 days PTO they may have a leg to stand on but you arent and its 1 day. None chance im doing any work if I were you.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
7
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Even with limited PTO, Like 14 days is typically what I see.. So no, you are good.
TennisandSales
Politicker
5
Head Of Sales
hooooooly shit. ummm id tell my manager to back the fuck up.

THIS IS WHY UNLIMITED PTO FAILS.
not because its a bad benefit. but because leadership fucks it up by making ppl feel guilty for taking it!

When i had unlimited PTO, im pretty sure i took 5-6 weeks of in total.

no one said anything. no one cared. i took care of my shit and made it happen and still hit above plan.

and thats not a humble brag but its to say that leadership supported it, and it worked!
HappyGilmore
Politicker
3
Account Executive
What she doesn't know is I'm interviewing and looking to leave so will def tell her to back up when I put my two weeks in (hopefully soon).

Agree with you that if its a benefit leadership shouldn't knock people for it. It should be encouraged to take time off (especially if someone is doing well).
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
yes!!! especially when someone is doing well! unlimited PTO was one of my favorite benefits
ChickenDinner
Politicker
2
Account Executive
agree! the unlimited pto ends up reverse-"psychologizing" us into taking less pto than we would have if it was a set amount
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
i hate it when this happens!
coletrain
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Unlimited with a mandatory minimum is something I see posted about but can’t imagine most companies adopting it. Feels like a better way forward but realistically not gonna happen
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
yeah I have seen this too. i know a few companies that have it in place. Idk if they actually enforce the minimum but it is a nice idea.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
It doesn't sound like too much, but of course, I'm not your manager.

I mean, have you also had sick days where you've been out, so the perception might be that you're just not there all that much? Not that it's right, I'm just curious.

And it's one day. I'm assuming you're otherwise managing your business and aren't consistently not updating SFDC or something that would cause heartburn.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Haven't taken a sick day at all this year, and I agree it's one day not like I'm going to not have everything updated in SFDC before then either.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
It's just odd. Unlimited PTO is a PIA.
Boudreaux
Politicker
2
Regional Manager
I agree and think unlimited PTO is a scam and just a way to leverage or make you feel guilty You can't tell me that if a rep is behind their number management wouldn't say something like " If you are comfortable taking a vacation, even though you are below goal blah blah blah".
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
Definitely doesn't sound like too much.

And again, will register my distaste for the BS that is 'unlimited' PTO.
Wellss
Tycoon
2
Channel sales
I personally don't think that's too much, buuuut how many days are you technically given? Or, do you have "unlimited"? Either way, if you're getting your work done & on track with everything then there's no reason to scold you for taking time off. Also, does she realllly think it's a good idea to be sending emails on a bachelor party? Doesn't she know what does on at those things!!!
HappyGilmore
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Haha you would think she'd understand sending emails during a bachelor party is a horrible idea, but guess not.
Mobi85
Politicker
2
Regional Sales Manager
That doesn't sound like that much PTO being used but I guess the push back could be what is your tenure with the company.

If you had less than 1 year with the company that could be a lot of PTO already used but if you had been there for the past 2-5 years she can take a walk.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Been at my company for over 3 years now and in good standing overall so it's a bit confusing and frustrating by her response.
Mobi85
Politicker
1
Regional Sales Manager
yea, that is some BS then and vacation days are your days to use and doesn't matter when you take them they are yours.
nomdeguerre
Executive
2
Account executive
Proof positive that unlimited PTO is BS!

You’re not talking to much, but not you have to navigate your manager mood to be able to take 1 day off PTO which is ridiculous.

That being said, it sounds to like she is saying between the lines that you should take to day, but don’t ask for official PTO. I don’t think she actually expects you to be sending emails at a bachelor party.

If she does, she is a special kind of stupid 😂😂😂
HappyGilmore
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Yeah it was more or less don't take PTO but be on call and have slack open haha.
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
I mean good on you for asking - I'd just have the phone to respond to immediate needs and not tell anyone I wasn't working.

Phone = laptop if it needs to be. It's sales, if we are doing it well no one knows what the fuck we are doing anyways.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
2
Sales
Take the PTO. Resentful employees aren’t gonna be good employees. If your management doesn’t see that, they are shortsighted.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
1
Account Executive
100%, that interaction alone created some friction between my manager and I, from my perspective.
washedD1soccer
Politicker
2
Regional Sales Manager
I’d tell her that as long as you are cool with you sending emails hammered to customers then that works. I’d get out of there. Sounds like my last boss. Just wants her team number hit and doesn’t give a shit about what’s going on in your life. If you’re hitting your numbers, there should be no questions asked. Hell, you shouldn’t even have to put in a formal PTO request.
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
1
Professional Day Ruiner
im very grateful to be at a company that gives unlimited PTO and actually encourages us to use it. I've taken at least 3 weeks this year (don't really keep track) between extended away's and taking long weekends. As long as you're hitting your number no one will be upset about you taking off
happyhunter
Politicker
1
spittin' sunshine
For future, you do not need to give a reason as to why you're taking PTO and simply state that you will be using PTO days for the following dates. What you do on your own PTO time is your own business. If you work at a small company where everyone are friends and knows what's going on, that's slightly different, but even then you don't need to go into detail.

To me, it sounds like she's annoyed you're taking time off for a bachelor party vs just taking time off in general, but she doesn't have a right to be annoyed if you have unlimited PTO! And who cares if you're at a bach party or in Europe, you can take the time off! I always say though that as long as you're hitting your numbers (or at least within range/path is paved for your year), you can do whatever the f you want.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
2 weeks are just fine. What about your and the team’s performance? May be your manager is expecting you to contribute to bridge the gaps the team has. Not sure but 2 weeks are just fine.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Performance right now for myself is okay this quarter, and the team overall isn't doing great in this Q. That could be part of it, and if that's the overall reason, I would've been fine with that reasoning.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
If you're at your number you should be able to do what you want, but they can certainly press a bit if you've not been performing or at minimum not showing that you're putting in the effort.
Either way it sucks to get someone pushing back on PTO.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Totally agree, especially since I always work to hit the effort metrics during the week.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Unlimited PTO is a double edged sword. And its usually up to your manager which is subjective at best.

I never give a reason for taking PTO. Its none of their business. I just need some days off work.
SalesBeast
Politicker
1
Sales Director
Your company and management is just panicking. As many are right now.
Not many companies are doing well. It changes peoples attitudes.
If you haven’t used many sick days (and didn’t tell them the exact day you wanted off)….. well, you know what to do.
SaaSyBee
Politicker
1
Founder
Woof. You should run. That's nothing.
God123
Good Citizen
0
Sales
How much should I take?
SaaSyBee
Politicker
1
Founder
As much as you want as long as you're getting the job done. I don't even track my PTO as we have unlimited. I take a short vacation about once a quarter, plus take a personal day every so often.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
They offered it. You signed and accepted. You take your PTO.
God123
Good Citizen
1
Sales
I took 23 days so far this year
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
At the end of the day, we are paid for results - NOT activity. If you are hitting your numbers, why should they care?
M.w
Good Citizen
0
مدير تنفيدي
أهلاً im new here how can i make mony

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