The PTO Paradox:Why U.S. Workers Struggle to Disconnect

By Eric Czerwonka

PTO on Paper, Pressure in Practice

Key Findings

Who Gets Time Off, and Who’s Left Out

How many days of paid time off (PTO) do you get per year?

% of Employees Who Get 16 or More Paid Days Off Per Year

💵 By Income Level
Under $25k 9%
$50k–$74,999 34%
🏢 By Company Size
1–50 employees 11%
1000+ employees 32%
🏠 By Work Arrangement
Fully in person 21%
Remote or hybrid 30%

How Employees Actually Use PTO

When was the last time you took time off?

PTO Without Permission: The Culture Gap

How would you describe your organization’s official approach to taking time off?

% of Employees Who Feel Encouraged to Take Time Off

💵 Income Level

30%-35%
49%

🏠 Work Arrangement

34%
49%

What Holds Employees Back from Taking Time Off

What stops you from taking more time off?

How Employees Feel After They Return from Time Off

51%
34%
28%
29%

PTO Matters for Morale and Retention

The Experiences of Employees Who Get No PTO

41%
35%
25%
71%

What It All Means

Build for Rest, Not Stigma

Methodology