I took two days of PTO and returned to comments like “Must be nice” and “We had to cover for you.” I’m starting to feel like PTO is a trap. Do other workplaces guilt-trip people this badly? How do you deal with this?

I’d make the uncomfortable back, “yes it was great, my sister is terminal so I appreciate every chance to be with her”

Does your team have the type of work where everybody’s work has to be covered whether they’re in the office or on PTO? If that’s the case and these comments were made my first thought was to just say thank you I really appreciate you covering for me while I was out and let it be that But my second instinct is to say pull these people in individual conversations and ask them why they feel that way or why the statement was made? Especially when everybody covers everybody. Also iterate that you’re just checking on them to make sure they’re OK out of concern. Because it’s the holidays it’s been a hell of a year and sometimes people just need to know that you care and that they’re seen.

Ignore them 🤷‍♂️

My leads always encourage us to take PTO.

Unfortunately this isn’t unusual. That’s exactly why I am offering a group event tomorrow called Power beyond Permission that helps high achieving over functioning women stop chasing permission, people pleasing and perfection and get their power back. It’s at noon cst tomorrow. Let me know if you’d like the zoom link

I would ignore them. Everyone who is making those comments has a right to use PTO also. When they are out someone will cover for them. Thats how it works.

Pay no mind to them and work on exiting a culture that plays that way! What comes around goes around. These people making these comments will take PTO eventually, so they really shouldn’t be saying those things. Just enjoy your PTO and try to forget these nonsense comments and the people that make them.

Just ignore them

Consider taking PTOs with enough notice and backups as your birthright

Ignore them, you’re entitled to take time away just like they are too so nobody should ever make you feel guilty for that