Top companies with unlimited PTO – they do exist and thrive

Considering offering your employees unlimited paid time off? What are the pros and cons of this out-of-the-ordinary benefit?

PTO is always a breath of relief for your employees, giving them the chance to take some distance, fueling their energy, and returning rested and ready to perform at their best.

Offering unlimited time off is a common practice only for a few companies. According to the 2023 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey, only 8% of employers offer paid open or unlimited leave.

Is it beneficial to the employers? Does it actually work? Let’s address those questions now.

What is PTO?

PTO, or Paid Time Off, is time employees can take off work and still receive their regular pay. Unlike traditional vacation policies, PTO groups together vacation, personal, and sick days, offering employees a more flexible way to manage their time off.

Unlimited PTO is an innovative policy where companies allow their employees to take as much time off as they need. The aim? To foster a culture of trust, autonomy, and ultimately, higher productivity.

Top companies offering unlimited PTO

Let’s delve into some of the companies leading the charge in this ‘unlimited’ arena:

1. Netflix – Netflix was a trailblazer in adopting unlimited vacation time, encouraging employees to take the time they need to rest and recharge.
2. HubSpot – With its ‘flexible vacation policy,’ HubSpot underscores its culture of flexibility and autonomy [HubSpot Culture Code, 2023].
3. Dropbox – Believing that rest and recovery are an essential part of productivity and collaboration, Dropbox rolled out its unlimited PTO policy to attract top talent.
4. Virgin Group – Inspired by Netflix, Richard Branson introduced unlimited PTO at Virgin, advocating that employees would only take time off when they feel fully up-to-date with their tasks.
5. Buffer – Buffer, the social media management company, offers unlimited PTO as part of its “default to transparency” and “work smarter, not harder” values. This allows employees to manage their time and workloads effectively.
6. General Electric – GE started offering unlimited PTO to its senior employees as a means of attracting and retaining top-level talent. The policy has been hailed as a positive move towards prioritizing work-life balance.
7. GrubHub – The online and mobile food-ordering company GrubHub allows its employees to take time off at their discretion, believing it fosters a healthier and more productive work environment.
8. Gusto – Gusto, a cloud-based payroll and benefits provider, offers unlimited PTO, claiming that trusting employees to manage their time has led to higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction.

These companies serve as leading examples of the growing trend of unlimited PTO.

It’s crucial to note that while the implementation and specifics of the policy might differ among companies, the underlying aim is the same: fostering a culture of trust, promoting work-life balance, and driving productivity.

Why you might consider adopting unlimited PTO

Wondering if it is worth joining the above list?

Unlimited PTO can bring substantial benefits. It has been linked with increased employee satisfaction and retention. It also empowers employees, promoting a culture of trust and flexibility.

This condition can have positive results for employers too. Better performance aside, a study showed that those with unlimited PTO took only 13 days off yearly compared to those with prescribed and limited time-off benefit packages, who took 15 days on average.

Why you might consider not adopting unlimited PTO

However, it’s not all rosy. Some employees can feel anxious about taking time off, fearing it may reflect poorly on their work ethic. Employers may also grapple with potential abuse of the policy and difficulties in tracking PTO.

It’s essential for us, as HR practitioners and employers, to carefully consider whether this trend aligns with our company culture and goals. Implementing an unlimited PTO policy requires a strong culture of trust, clear communication, and guidelines to prevent potential misuse.

The rise of unlimited PTO among top companies signifies a shift in our work culture. It’s a trend that’s well worth our attention as we seek to foster an environment where our employees can thrive. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to balance the benefits and potential challenges of such policies, and tailor them to best serve our teams.