Taking stress-free PTO can feel impossible if you have a boss that essentially has no personal life and ‘is the job’. If they are the type to send emails at 2 a.m. on a Sunday, attend virtual meetings during their supposed vacation, and thrives by being perpetually online, you might get anxiety even thinking about taking PTO. Your boss says it’s fine for you to take time off, but their actions tell a different story. Add to that a team of hyper-competitive coworkers who pride themselves on 24/7 grinding and working through holidays, and taking a vacation can start to feel like career sabotage.
If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. Research shows that 54% of Americans work while on vacation, often driven by workplace cultures that blur boundaries between personal and professional life. The rise of remote work has only intensified this trend, making it easier than ever to stay plugged in—even when you desperately need a break.
Mimi Swain, Chief Commercial Officer for Ring and Blink explains why taking PTO is critical, “The ability to disconnect and detach is important for the long-term well-being, and productivity, of you and your team. That means not dialing in for ‘just one call’ or constantly checking your email, but actually blocking out work and resetting while on PTO.” But, the internal struggle that is triggered may make taking a break easier said than done. Let’s explore why taking PTO can feel impossible under these conditions and how to set boundaries without jeopardizing your career.
Why a Workaholic Boss Makes PTO Feel Impossible
The Problem:
A boss who has no life outside work—and makes their job their entire identity—sets an unspoken expectation that their team should do the same. Even if they verbally encourage you to take time off, their behavior communicates a different message: If I’m working 24/7, why aren’t you? This disconnect can lead employees to fear that taking PTO will be seen as a lack of commitment.
The Impact:
- Working on Vacation: Over half of Americans admit to working while on vacation, and a survey by Glassdoor found that 47% of employees feel guilty about taking time off.
- “Always-On” Culture: A Buffer report revealed that 22% of remote workers struggle to unplug during holidays or PTO because the pandemic normalized an “always-on” behavior, with work messages often bleeding into evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Action Steps to Disconnect:
- Communicate Proactively: Before your break, have a conversation with your boss to outline what you’ll accomplish beforehand and set clear boundaries. For example: “I’ll finalize X and Y by Friday and will be offline during my PTO. Please let me know if there’s anything urgent to address before then.”
- Leverage Tools: Use your email’s out-of-office feature to clearly communicate your unavailability. Example: “I’m away on PTO from [date] to [date]. I’ll respond to non-urgent emails upon my return.” Stick to this boundary, even if your boss doesn’t.
Hyper-Competitive Coworkers Add to the Pressure
The Problem:
When you work alongside colleagues who take pride in skipping PTO or working through holidays, it can feel impossible to justify stepping away. Their relentless pace creates an environment where taking time off is seen as a weakness or a lack of ambition.
The Impact:
A culture of constant competition reinforces unhealthy behaviors:
- Holiday Workcations: According to online learning platform ELVTR, 68% of American workers admit to working during holiday travel.
- Fear of Falling Behind: Competitiveness among coworkers can lead to burnout, with employees working extra hours to “keep up” and sacrificing their own well-being in the process.
Action Steps to Disconnect:
- Reframe Your Perspective: Recognize that rest is a strategic advantage. A well-rested mind is more creative, focused, and productive than one running on fumes.
- Set Personal Benchmarks: Measure your success by the quality of your work, not by how many hours you put in. Use PTO to recharge and come back ready to outperform—not compete in a burnout Olympics.
Unlimited PTO: A Double-Edged Sword
The Problem:
On the surface, unlimited PTO seems like a dream. But in reality, it often creates a culture where employees feel guilty about using it. Without clear guidelines, workers may fear they’re taking “too much” time off or that their absence will reflect poorly on them.
The Impact:
- A study by Namely found that employees with unlimited PTO policies take fewer vacation days on average than those with traditional policies.
- Ambiguity around usage can foster insecurity, leaving workers reluctant to step away even when they need a break.
Action Steps to Disconnect:
- Clarify Expectations: Speak with your manager or HR to understand how unlimited PTO is typically used in your organization. Advocate for clear policies and transparency if expectations are unclear.
- Model Balance: If you’re a leader, take time off yourself and encourage your team to do the same. By demonstrating that PTO is both acceptable and encouraged, you can help break the cycle of guilt and overwork.
Remote Work Makes It Harder to Draw the Line
The Problem:
The shift to remote work has made it harder than ever to “log off.” With your office just steps away, it’s tempting to check emails or wrap up “one last thing” during what’s supposed to be your personal time.
The Impact:
- Blurred Boundaries: Studies show that remote workers are more likely to work during holidays than office-based employees, with more than half reporting that they check work emails while on vacation.
- Mental Exhaustion: Without physical separation between work and home, employees risk overwork and decreased productivity in the long term.
Action Steps to Disconnect:
- Set Physical Boundaries: If possible, designate a specific workspace at home and commit to leaving it untouched during your PTO.
- Plan a Real Break: If a full disconnect feels too daunting, block out a few hours each day during your PTO for non-work activities. Gradually increase these breaks over time to rebuild your ability to fully unplug. Swain says, “When I walk away, and am in nature clearing my head or seeing a new city, I start to look at things a little differently. This shift can have a huge impact on the way you work, bring inspiration, and tackle problems with a re-energized focus.”
Why It’s Critical to Recharge
Taking time off isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for long-term health and success. Studies show that regular breaks improve creativity, decision-making, and resilience. If your workplace culture makes PTO feel impossible, it’s a sign that something needs to change—not just for you, but for the team as a whole. Speak up, set boundaries, and lead by example.