Title: Don't Be a Fool: Use Your Damn PTO If you're one of the nearly half of Americans who leave paid time off on the table, I have one simple question for you: what the hell is wrong with you? Seriously, though. In a world where work-life balance is becoming increasingly important, why are so many of us choosing to sacrifice our well-deserved time off in order to impress our bosses or meet arbitrary deadlines? According to a recent Pew survey, the top reasons for not using PTO include worries about falling behind and fear of being fired. But let's be real here – if your employer is punishing you for taking the vacation days that you're entitled to, then that's a sign of a toxic work environment that you should probably be looking to escape from anyway. The benefits of using your PTO are obvious: it allows you to recharge, de-stress, and come back to work feeling more productive and focused. Plus, studies have shown that time off can even improve your physical health, reducing the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. So, to all of the work martyrs out there: wake up and smell the coffee. It's time to start taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Whether it's a week-long trip to the beach or just a long weekend spent binge-watching Netflix, make sure that you use your damn PTO. Your future self will thank you. In a recent Pew survey, top reasons included worry about falling behind and fear of being fired. DealBook wants to know yours.
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