How to Maximize Your PTO in 2022

PTO, or paid time off, isn’t offered by every employer. So if you get this benefit, it only makes sense to make the most of it. Here are a few tips to maximize your PTO in 2022.

Link It with a Holiday

Some employers don’t allow time off in the days surrounding a holiday. But if yours does, this can be a great way to maximize your PTO. Let’s say your workplace is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. That’s a total of eight days. Adding just one day of PTO at the beginning and another at the end of the break gives you a full 10-day vacation.

Take Advantage of Weekends

You can also use this linking strategy to boost your PTO around any weekend. Want to take a five-day trip? Don’t book it from Monday through Friday. Instead, book it from Wednesday through Sunday. You’ll get five days to relax, but use just three days of PTO.

Even better? Link both surrounding weekends. Leave after work on Friday, take the week off, and return late in the day the following Sunday. You’ll get eight full days of vacation, plus travel time, for just five days of PTO.

Take Half Days

Need to take your daughter to the dentist or your cat to the vet? Don’t waste an entire day of PTO. Schedule the appointment for early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and take just half a day or less of PTO. A half-day on Friday can also be a great way to expand your weekend without losing out on too much PTO.

Use It, Don’t Lose It

Of course, the best way to maximize your PTO is to make sure you use every minute of it. Some employers allow PTO to roll over to the next year, while others have a “use it or lose it” policy each year. But even if you’re allowed to roll it over, be sure to take some of your time each year. The longer you go without using PTO at all, the less likely you are to eventually take advantage of it. And even one or two short breaks during the year can help keep you happy, healthy, and performing at your best.

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