Paid time off is one of things we’re all looking for in a job, like an environment that’s not toxic and decent health insurance (maybe even dental!). That said, there are good and not-so-smart ways to go about using it, it turns out, so if you’re interested in how to maximize yours, you’ve come to the right place.
First of all, don’t buy into the American mentality that you shouldn’t take those hours – you definitely should! You earned them, and in the end, you’ll be a more productive and happy employee once you do.
Selena Rezvani is a leadership expert, speaker, and author, and her TikTok about tips and tricks for getting the most out of your time off has amassed over 1.8 million views.
@selenarezvani My best tips for using your PTO at work.⏰ #paidtimeoff#pto#corporatetips#corporateadvice#careeradvice#careertok#corporatelife#corporateamerica
She specializes in helping employees stand up for themselves at work, and believes that “research shows that North Americans are the most stressed-out workers in the world. If you think about it, it’s hard to be results-obsessed and NOT get burned out.”
Research shows North Americans are the most stressed-out workers in the world. If you think about it, it’s hard to be results-obsessed and NOT get burned out.”
Here are her top 3 tips from the video:
#3. Always use the time you’ve earned.
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#2. Don’t justify your request to use your time.
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#1. Don’t worry about any pushback.
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Speaking of that last one, here are some tips for dealing with managers who don’t respect your time off when you do take it.
#3. Set your expectations up front.
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#2. Keep your boundaries firm once they’re set.
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#1. It’s ok to say you’re unavailable.
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If you’re worried, here’s the pep talk she gave Bored Panda on that exact topic:
“Employers need to stop vacation-shaming and incentivizing people to have ‘perfect attendance’. It’s crazy to me that there are workplaces that give out perfect attendance rewards and financial incentives to those who don’t use their PTO at the end of a period. People can and should be able to judge for themselves when they need time off (and of course to make an effort to help operations run smoothly while they’re gone.”
@selenarezvani Tips to help you communicate & set boundaries when taking time off. #pto#paidtimeoff#takingtimeoff#corporatelife#corporatetips#corporateadvice
There you have it, Americans (and Canadians, to some extent) – it’s your time, and even if you need to do some extra work ahead of time to make sure your employer isn’t hampered by not having you there, you need to take it.
Relax! I promise it’s not so bad once you give it a try.
