Is it weird that seeing "unlimited PTO" as a perk makes me less interested in a job? I feel like it's a trap – 'take time off as long as everything's finished!' But when is everything ever finished? I worry it just means you'll never actually take a vacation. Am I crazy, or do others feel this way too? Is unlimited PTO actually a good thing for employees, or am I right to be wary?

That's not weird at all. Unlimited PTO is a trap 99% of the time. I have worked at two jobs with unlimited PTO and more than a week off a year, you were made to feel like you were letting everyone down. I want a set number of PTO days that I can take guilt-free.

I have unlimited and have no issues or worried of taking at least 4 weeks of PTO

Not weird at all. It's a scam for 90% of people and companies. I'd rather have the set amount personally, although I do know some friends who are able to make it work for them.

Unlimited is a myth and people need to stop using that term. Here at RSM we call it self managed. It isn’t that either, since we have to get it approved. 😂 it just means that HR doesn’t have to track it and there’s no accruals to deal with. Nothing else about it has changed, except that now, people are more likely to take less PTO because there is no use it or lose it pressure. It isn’t a perk at all.

Works great for me. I took more this year than when we had specifically allocated time and had no issues at all.

Definitely not weird! I feel like the secret is out on unlimited PTO and has been for some time. Doesn't seem to me like as many companies are offering it anymore because it became so unpopular. Idk if it would be a deal breaker for me, but I would have questions for sure.

Stats show people take less time off with unlimited PTO. I did know a colleague who was efficient and pushed hard and ended up taking more and still promoted ahead of time etc, but that is rare

I'm with you

It depends on the company. Some places seem to support taking time off, but I’ve also seen it used to push people to work nonstop. I think it’s smart to be cautious and ask a lot of questions during the interview about how people use their time off.

I have unlimited PTO and am currently on a two week frolic…..I put all my PTO in at the top of the year before anything gets crazy.

It's a trap.

“Trap”?

The trick is that you used to entitle the number of days od vacation but now you have to get approval. Certainly the capitalism knows to disguise themselves and steal your cake

I think it depends on the office culture. Manager sets the tone. If they use it, the team feels more comfortable using it. Nothing is ever going to be “finished”. Just make sure major deadlines and tasks are completed. This is my first year with unlimited PTO. What might help is setting your own PTO days. Give yourself grace to take 20-25 days off. And if something urgent comes up it’s okay take it.