How To Maximize Your PTO This Year

Maximize your PTO this year and take full advantage of all the time off you have! Even if you have PTO, there’s still that gutwrenching feeling to ask your boss for some time off and we’ve ALL been there. My advice is to take your PTO because you earned it and burnout is real. Whether you’re going on a small weekend trip, an international getaway, or even a staycation, taking time to yourself is going to make a huge difference in your life. Trust me, it might seem unmanageable, but I cracked the code. Here’s how to maximize your PTO and get over 50 days off with only taking 19 PTO days. 

Disclaimer: To maximize your PTO, be mindful of taking EVERY holiday off: Depending on if your team is big or not, just be mindful of taking off before/after EVERY holiday. My dad has been working for a company that has bosses who take every school holiday every year and it’s painfully annoying. Spread them out a bit more and you’ll be okay!

Feeling Guilty? Don’t Be!: I always feel super guilty about taking days off (I don’t know why since they’re my days off) but what helps me feel better is offering to cover when my coworkers are out.

Remote Work/In-Office Work: Lastly, you’ll want to take into account flexibility from the office. If you work remotely more times than in the office, ask to see if you can work from your destination and consider getting a VPN! 

Now that we have gotten that in the works, let’s get started! 

---

Maximize Your PTO With USA Holidays (depends on what your job’s holiday schedule looks like)

• Jan 01 New Year’s Day
• Jan 20 M L King Day: Take off 1/16-17th for a 5-day weekend. 2 PTO Days, 1 Holiday Day
• Feb 17 Presidents Day: Take off 2/13-14th for a 5-day weekend. 2 PTO Days, 1 Holiday Day
• Mar 29 Good Friday & Mar 31 Easter: not included in NY paid holiday calendars
• May 27 Memorial Day: Take off 5/22-23rd for a 5-day weekend. 2 PTO Days, 1 Holiday Day
• Jun 19 Juneteenth: Take off 6/20-23rd for a 5-day weekend. 2 PTO Days, 1 Holiday Day
• Jul 04 Independence Day: Take off 7/3 for a 4-day weekend. 1 PTO Day, 1 Holiday Day
• Sep 01 Labor Day: Take off 8/28-8/29th for a 5-day weekend. 2 PTO Days, 1 Holiday Day
• Oct 13 Columbus Day: Take off 10/9- 10/12, & 10/14 for a 6-day week. 3 PTO Days, 1 Holiday
• Nov 11 Veterans Day: Take off 11/6 & 11/7th for a 5-day weekend. 2 PTO Days, 1 Holiday Day
• Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day: Take off 11/28th for a 4-day weekend. 1 PTO Day 
• Dec 24 & 25 Christmas, New Years Eve & New Years Day: Take off 12/26-29, 30-31st for 9 days off. 5 PTO Days, 4 Holidays

Full list of federal bank holidays in the US here

Total time off: 53 days off | PTO days used: 21 days

Adjust these to the dates that you want to leverage more time off and happy traveling!

---

There You Have It

I hope this gave you a little inspiration to truly maximize your year and take advantage of the time that you have! Let me know what fabulous trips you’re planning this year and comment them below! I already booked two trips and cheers to many more!