Take Your PTO

Regularly take your PTO. There’s no medal for not using it.”

—Advice by author Selena Rezvani (she/her)

This, in response to the very American ethos of taking as little time off as possible, which she says is, well, not smart. Here are just a few of the reasons you should be taking advantage of your PTO:

🔹 By taking it regularly, you train your manager, team and HR department that taking time off is “normal” for you

🔹 Taking breaks from work and time out to recharge makes you better at your job. Yes – it’s really true!

🔹 Since PTO is typically considered the second-biggest benefit for employees (after insurance), not taking it makes no sense

You don’t have to come up with an elaborate justification, and you don’t necessarily have to have “a good excuse.” It’s your right to use your PTO.

Of course, it’s also your responsibility to be respectful of your organization and its leadership. Depending on your company culture, you may want to pick and choose when you take PTO and how much advance notice you give.

But the bottom line is this: It’s your PTO. Take it.