The Importance of Taking PTO

2.5 minute read

According to the U.S. Travel Association, hundreds of millions of vacation days will go unused this year. But when employees opt not to take a break from work, they and their organization may suffer for it in the long run. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are focusing on maintaining their service and product quality and taking paid time off (PTO) may not be the first thing on their mind.

Many employers are reporting low PTO usage from employees this year. For those employees working from home, the lines between work and home are blurred. Many are working longer hours than before the pandemic. Extra work and no play can lead to employee burnout.

Paid time off is important for both the employee and employer. A time to reset and decompress helps to eliminate burnout. Employers needs a workforce that doesn’t compromise quality for quantity. Excessive working can lead to greater stress, absenteeism, and a decline in service quality.

Taking PTO can be correlated with greater job success. According to the Harvard Business Review, employees who took 11+ vacation days were over 30% more likely to receive a raise than those who took fewer days. For each 10 vacation hours an employee used, their performance review scores raised 8% on average.

So how can employers encourage their employees to take some time off?

• Communicate your PTO policy to your employees. Be transparent and make sure your message is consistent across all communication channels. Let them know how much PTO they can use, when they can use it, and how to submit PTO requests.
• Encourage frequent use of PTO. If employees are concerned about being away from work for an extended period, there’s nothing wrong with taking a few days off now and then to regroup and unwind.
• Lead by example. If managers and administration aren’t taking off days, then some employees may believe that they shouldn’t either. It’s important that every level of the organization believes that taking time off is beneficial to all.
• Departments and teams should talk about PTO openly. This enables communication about coordinating responsibilities and overlapping time off, adding further to the supportive atmosphere.
• For anyone that frequently overworks, managers should reach out to them and discuss unhealthy work habits and the importance of taking some time off now and then.

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This blog is intended to be a compilation of information and resources pulled from federal, state, and local agencies. This is not intended to be legal advice. For up to the minute information and guidance on COVID-19, please follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local health organizations.