Millennials would rather take secret PTO than ask the boss
This is a snippet from the weekly CNBC Make It Work newsletter, written by Ashton Jackson.
In my previous internships and fellowships, I’ve experienced not having any vacation days. So now that I get paid time off, I don’t leave any of it on the table.
For most other young workers, however, that isn’t the case. Seventy-eight percent of U.S. workers say they don’t take all their PTO days, and it’s highest among Gen Z workers and millennials, according to a new Harris Poll survey of 1,170 American workers.
That doesn’t mean they’re not taking breaks; they’re just not telling their boss. Millennials in particular have found ways to play hooky. Nearly 4 in 10 say they’ve taken time off without communicating it to their manager.
Similar shares say they “move their mouse” to show they’re still active on their company’s messaging platforms, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, when they’re really not, and they’ve scheduled a message to send outside of regular hours to give the impression they’re working overtime.
“There’s a giant workaround culture at play,” says Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer at The Harris Poll. While Gen Zers tend to be more vocal about workplaces that shame people for wanting to ask off work, millennials are more likely to stay under the radar.
When people feel the need to sneak around, it’s a sign that their workplace doesn’t have a supportive PTO system or culture in place, Rodney says.
Bosses can alleviate that tension in a number of ways, she adds: They can be more transparent about what requesting time off looks like, normalize taking PTO, supporting when their employees do plan to be away, and/or mandate a certain amount of time off.
Luckily, I feel supported in using my vacation days. Nonetheless, this study is a good reminder that before "quiet vacationing," it might be worth bringing your concerns to your boss if you feel pressured at work.
What do you think about "quiet vacationing?" For details on why younger professionals say they don't ask for time off, check out the full story.
Do you want to be a better communicator? We’ll help you become a public speaking pro.
CNBC Make It just launched a new online course, which will teach you how to master public speaking. We’ll show you the best words and phrases to use, tips that will make you sound more confident and credible, and body language skills that will help you make a great first impression.
Register now and use the code EARLYBIRD to save 30% with a limited-time offer: https://cnb.cx/3UZGSnw
Division President @ Employbridge | Board Chair @ASA | Board Member | Author | Speaker
2wTake your PTO and bosses need to encourage it! I just posted an article with some tips on the benefits. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7201954138769784832/
Senior Business Partnership Manager @ Artisse | Immersive Brand Development | Brands and Agencies | Influencer Marketing | Social Media Marketing | Creator Economy | Age of Intelligence |
2wI would rather get paid for PTO I don't take!
American-Brazilian 🇧🇷🇺🇸 | Polyglot | Nurse Practitioner Student | Connector 🔗 | Nurse Contractor 🩺
2wIt's unwise for employees to delay taking PTO. PTO can be denied INDEFINITELY, and putting relaxation time on hold for work is never a good idea short of an immediate financial need. Companies are not obligated to pay your PTO. You do not have a RIGHT to PTO [Check your state labor board].
Security Officer في G4S
2wGood to know!
Branding Immigrant Careers to Reach 6-Figures & Limitless Promotions—Even If You Feel Overlooked, Invisible, or Held Back Without a Posh Network or Costly Credentials ● Ft. CBC & Global National, CNBC, FOX 26, WSJ
2wEmployees shouldn't have to lie to take a quiet vacation. It's time to consider changing employers or bosses, or to work on self-advocacy if they have to withhold vacation info or lie or move mouse to show active status online. The hustle culture in the corporate world is exhausting. People can still excel by setting boundaries and taking vacations, as long as they can complete their work from the beach, bar, hotel room, or any other location. Why should someone care? Unless there are compliance issue for certain roles. Employers are controlling the narrative and painting a misleading picture of remote work to bring employees back to the office. There is significant pressure from real estate investors and cities to have people work from offices for economic reasons. However, we all know that most work can be done from anywhere, as demonstrated during the pandemic. Is quiet vacationing trend trying to paint bad picture for remote workers and started by micromanagers who wants to control PTO or in-person work? Noone has to take secret PTO, noone! And there is always reason or fear for doing that.