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Does your workplace offer the enticing concept of “unlimited vacation time”? If so, how much time do you find yourself actually taking off? Have you ever engaged in discussions or negotiations to implement a more defined and clear PTO policy that suits your needs better?

Recently, I was chatting with a friend who was outlining her upcoming schedule for the next few months. She mentioned plans to visit her parents in their vacation home, embark on a solo road trip for a week, join friends for a group vacation, and finally, spend time with her in-laws in Europe. My reaction was one of envy, as I remarked on the significant amount of vacation time she seemed to have. However, she clarified that she would be working throughout most of this period, as she is only allotted a few weeks of vacation each year.

On the other hand, another friend who enjoys the benefit of “unlimited vacation time” works in a small office environment and often feels a sense of guilt for every moment he takes off. His three weeks spent visiting his parents, who also reside in a vacation town, often turn into a working vacation, where he balances personal time with work responsibilities.

(In contrast, I have a third friend whose PTO policy I’m not quite familiar with, but he appears to be traveling for at least 8 to 12 weeks each year, often to international destinations where he may not always be reachable. I suspect he truly does have unlimited PTO and utilizes it effectively. Given his senior position, where he primarily reports to the board, it’s quite plausible that he negotiated for such an extensive vacation policy.)

I thought it would be interesting to spark a discussion here—how much vacation time do you receive from your employer? What are the repercussions if you leave some of that time unused? For those who view unlimited vacation time as a “dark perk,” what strategies have you employed to negotiate around it? I recently came across some advice from an author on negotiating unlimited PTO that might be helpful.

In previous discussions, we’ve explored the most desirable employee benefits and perks, as well as details surrounding how many paid vacation days individuals receive annually.

Stock photo via Stencil.